Resources
Functional skills resources (all subjects)
Centres delivering the NCFE Functional Skills qualifications from September 2010 may find the following resources useful when delivering lessons and preparing candidates for their assessments.
Functionality topics - the topics in this sheet could be used when creating activities and/or delivery materials for the Functional Skills qualifications. The topics can be used across the 3 subject areas of English, Mathematics and ICT, as well as across the levels from Entry Level up to Level 2.
Centres planning delivery of Functional Skills from 1 September 2010 should take a look at the new qualification standards that will need to be used from 1 September 2010 onwards. They are included in the Ofqual regulatory criteria documents which can be downloaded from the Ofqual website here.
Useful websites
www.axiseducation.co.uk publishers of teaching resources for Functional Mathematics and English, and also the Skills for Life qualifications
www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk is designed to assist with the teaching of various number investigations, and also has examples of good practice for ICT teaching and learning.
www.guroo.co.uk producers of learning materials and resources for candidates aged 14-19 for Functional Skills and Basic Skills qualifications.
www.skillsworkshop.org is a privately owned website which features some useful resources for the Functional Skills and Basic Skills qualifications.
We're also in the process of collecting subject-specific resources, please use the links on the right side of this page to download these. We'll be adding to these throughout the pilot, so if you know of (or currently use) any other resources for the Functional Skills qualifications in Mathematics, English and ICT, please let us know so we can update this site, by emailing prepforlifework@ncfe.org.uk or calling 0191 239 9000.
Functional Skills training and support
The Functional Skills Support Programme (FSSP - provided by the National Strategies team) has opened its offer of support and guidance materials to all centres, including non-pilot centres. This is to prepare all centres who'll be delivering the Functional Skills qualifications from September 2009.
The support programme is available free of charge to all schools and post-16 education and training centres, with support for schools offered by National Strategies and support for the post-16 sector offered by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). Visit their website here.
Regional Field Forces
A team of regional Field Forces was created last year to provide support for new and existing Functional Skills pilot centres.
There are 9 representatives based in 3 regions, working to support non-consortia centres focusing on Functional Skills. To get more information about this team, or to request support, please send an email to secondary@nationalstrategies.co.uk
There are also 9 regional contacts for Diploma consortia using Functional Skills, for more information click here http://excellence.qia.org.uk/159679.
