This is an update from the Functional Skills Support Programme (FSSP) for post-16 education and training providers.
Programme update
Development project materials
The Functional Skills Support Programme has funded a number of providers from all sectors and regions to produce resources to help the sector deliver functional skills in September 2010. We are pleased that we have received 24 sets of resources which are now available to download from a dedicated area of our website here.
Open sessions
FSSP are holding open training sessions on a number of topics for practitioners in all sectors preparing for functional skills roll-out. Open sessions last 2-3 hours and include functional skills in the context of Diplomas, apprenticeships and Foundation Learning and also specific sessions on functional skills for consortia. Click here to book your place.
National update
Funding information
The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) have released two documents: A Guide to Funding Foundation Learning, and Funding Guidance 2010/2011: Funding Regulations. These documents are useful to all practitioners, leaders and managers involved in managing and delivering YPLA funded provision. Please see links below to read the full documents:
- Funding Guidance 2010/2011: Funding Regulations
- A Guide to Funding Foundation Learning
Awarding organisations accreditation process
The three-year functional skills (FS) pilot will shortly be completed. FS pilot qualifications will, therefore, be withdrawn and new accredited qualifications will be available for teaching from 1st September 2010. At each level and subject there are at least three accredited qualifications available, with more at Levels 1 and 2 in mathematics and English. The accreditation process is ongoing, with awarding organisations putting forward new qualifications for accreditation, so this choice is expected to increase over the coming months. However, some awarding organisations that took part in the three-year pilot may not have final accredited qualifications yet.
Accredited qualifications can be found on NDAQ (and are distinguished from pilot qualifications as they have ‘FS NQF’ in the Type column, compared to ‘FS’ for the pilot qualifications).
Please find attached a document which provides some guidance for centres explaining some of the ramifications for learners, the differences between pilot and non-pilot qualifications and how flexible the assessments will be.
Actions for providers offering Functional Skills Qualifications (Word doc 36KB)
