Govt confirms rules on Functional Skills and GCSE choice for post-16 learners

For learners on an Apprenticeship programme, the funding rules and guidelines are very simple. Learners are expected to follow Functional Skills qualifications until 2020.

The same rules apply to Adult learners - Functional Skills is the qualification of choice and is a fully funded qualification for those without a level 2 until 2020.

There is more complexity with 16-18 learners on fulltime courses.  From September 2014, learners should follow the course that is most appropriate to them - whether that's GCSE or Functional Skills.  In most cases, this will be Functional Skills, but where a learner has already achieved a grade D GCSE, it's likely that Ofsted will be keen to explore the reasons behind the choice.

From September 2015, the position is clear, for 16-18 year olds on a full time study course (not an apprenticeship), they will be funded to follow GCSE if they have an existing grade D or Functional Skills if they have grade E-F or nothing at all.

So in summary:

• Apprentices and adults study Functional Skills until at least 2020.
• 16-18 year olds in full time study follow Functional Skills unless they have an existing grade D at GCSE.

Why 2020 - GCSE examinations are not and will not be "roll-on, roll-off" programmes of study until at least 3 years after the first exams of the new 2015 specification GCSE which is first examined in 2017.  Subject to policy and indeed Government changes, 2020 could easily be 2022 or 20125 or more! 

NIACE are managing a consultation process with a close date of September 30th about the issues surrounding effective implementation of the new 2015 GCSE qualifications for adults and apprentices.

Click here for a link to the NIACE consultation page so you can take part.