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.

The Guroo guys after the Stockton Ratrace on Sunday 24th August!  Neil, Simon, Andy and Jonathan

BIS confirmation that Functional Skills stays in all Apprenticeships till at least 2020

Just had direct confirmation from BIS that GCSE is NOT a requirement of Apprenticeships and Adult Learning until 2020, Only by then will Awarding Organisations have had the chance to develop with suitable on-line assessments.

So Functional Skills STAYS as the qualification of choice for all Apprenticeships and Adult Learning.

There was some talk that learners with a grade D must take GCSE - this only applies to full time  courses for students aged 16-18 with a grade D at GCSE from August 2015.  They will be expected and funded to retake GCSE. 

Guroo has a fantastic solution for Functional Skills!

Clarification of Functional Skills and GCSE positioning

Clarification of the latest Government announcements about Functional Skills and GCSE in apprenticeships and adult learning.  As I understand it, and because GCSE only has two assessment windows until at least 2020, Functional Skills remains the qualification of choice in Apprenticeships and other “roll-on roll-off qualifications” such as adult learning.

From August 2014 - all learners without grade C maths and English who undertake a full-time course (typically at FE College) must choose Functional Skills or GCSE.  

From August 2015 - those taking a full-time course with existing grade D, do GCSE, others can choose Functional Skills or GCSE. 

Irrespective of dates, whilst apprentices can choose GCSE where the provider offers it, Functional Skills will remain the qualification of choice until 2020 for apprentices and adults.  

Hope this helps to clarify the position - Jonathan Wells at Guroo. 

Functional Skills newsletter

Latest newsletter here featuring analysis of Ministers exchange of letters with Ofqual and Providers of Functional Skills and GCSE Assessment, diagnostics and resources comparison table.

Maths and English - Minister letter

Ofqual and Minister letter exchange

Matthew Hancock (Minister for Skills) and Glenys Stacey (Chief Executive of Ofqual) have exchanged letters this week about learners in the post 16 sector who have not yet achieved good passes (grade A*-C GCSE) in English and maths.  

Read the full details of the Ministers letter here and below the three key points and dates are summarised.

• From August 2014, learners must either follow either GCSE or Functional Skills maths and English qualifications and this will be a condition of funding. 
• From August 2015 the condition of funding will be amended so that students with a existing grade D GCSE will be taught GCSE with others following Functional Skills or other stepping stone qualifications.
• Functional Skills will be extended to remain in Apprenticeships until at least 2020 giving Awarding Organisations the chance of developing on-line assessments for GCSE that can be taken anytime.

Ofqual responded with the following comments:

• We welcome your recognition of the important role that Functional Skills qualifications will continue to play....
• (For GCSE maths and English) - In order to ensure so far as possible a smooth transition, the qualifications (and assessment windows) need to remain steady, both before and for a period after first awarding in 2017 but we will certainly consider with exam boards and others whether it might be possible in the longer term to offer more than one assessment window each year without compromising standards.

So there we have it.

From next month - all learners without grade C maths and English must choose Functional Skills or GCSE.

From August 2015 - those with existing grade D, do GCSE, others do Functional Skills. 

Functional Skills remains the qualification of choice until 2020 for apprentices and adults.

GCSE or Functional Skills?

GCSE or Functional Skills - how will you help your learners choose (please complete this (very, very) short survey)

The GCSE/Functional Skills debate continues.  It's an area that Guroo is constantly monitoring - our GCSE Maths Number, GCSE Maths Algebra and GCSE English Writing assessments are being tested now (first release just days away) with GCSE English Writing, GCSE Maths Shape/Space and GCSE Maths Handling Data all due for release by the end of July in good time for September enrolment.

But here's another option we are considering - how do you decide which route is right for your learners, and how do you show evidence to backup that decision?

We've already been asked about this, we'd like to know what you think so please complete our three question survey about this here.  

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Choosing_between_GCSE_and_Functional_Skills