FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
Learners that do not have prior achievement of Maths or English at the required level will be required to attend additional taught sessions to enable them to sit and achieve their functional skills exams.
If you are studying a Level 2 programme, you will need to have passed at Level 1 for both Maths and English and attempted the Level 2 papers to complete your apprenticeship.
If you are studying a Level 3 programme, you will be required to have a minimum equivalent of Level 1 in Maths and English and sit and pass the level 2 papers to complete the apprenticeship.
**Learners that can evidence prior achievement of Maths and English at Level 2 will not be required to attend functional skills sessions or sit an exam. However, as per the government initiative to improve mathematics and English across society, there will be a requirement to upskill in both subjects. This will be naturally embedded within the qualification during taught and 1:1 session with your tutor.
Functional Skills at Level 2 is equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 (C on old grading system). Functional Skills is a qualification which is widely accepted as a GCSE equivalent.
|
5.1 Functional Skills Exams
Maths
Functional Skills indicate that students can demonstrate their ability in mathematical skills and their ability to apply these, through appropriate reasoning and decision making, to solve realistic problems of increasing complexity; They are designed to introduce students to new areas of life and work so that they are exposed to concepts and problems which, while not of immediate concern, may be of value in later life; and enable students to develop an appreciation of the role played by mathematics in the world of work and in life generally.
For Maths Level 1 and Level 2, there are 2 exam papers, these are:
Non-Calculator
Calculator
These must be taken in the same sitting but are 2 separate exam papers.
|
The qualification is graded Pass/Fail and is an externally set, on-demand assessment. Assessments will take place at the Sysco offices where possible with an independent invigilator. Assessment Structure |
Duration |
Percentage of qualification |
|
Section A Non-Calculator |
25 minutes |
25% |
|
Section B Calculator |
1 hour 30 minutes |
75% |
|
Content areas |
||
|
Using numbers and number systems – Whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages |
||
|
Using common measures, shapes and space |
||
|
Handling information and data |
||
English
English is a qualification that benefits learners in work, study and life. Achievement of the qualification demonstrates the ability at an appropriate level to read, write, speak, listen and communicate in English. This qualification is assessed via 2 external assessments and one controlled assessment.
Functional Skills English qualifications at these levels indicate that students should be able to speak, listen, communicate, read and write clearly, accurately, confidently and with effectiveness.
They should be able to:
• Listen, understand, and make relevant contributions to discussions with others in a range of contexts
• Apply their understanding of language to adapt delivery and content to suit audience and purpose
• Read a range of different text types confidently and fluently, applying their knowledge and understanding of texts to their own writing
• Write texts of varying complexity, with accuracy, effectiveness, and correct spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Understand the situations when, and audiences for which, planning, drafting and using formal language are important, and when they are less important. Students should be able to use these functional skills autonomously, applying them to a range of formal and informal contexts, in the workplace and in real life.
For those sitting English Level 1 or Level 2 exams, there are 3 elements:
External assessments:
• Reading
• Writing
Controlled Assessment:
• Speaking, Listening and Communicating
A Speaking, listening and communicating assessment is a formal assessment, which must be completed under supervised conditions. During the assessment, learners must be in the direct sight of the assessor at all times. Input from the assessor, such as clarification of requirements is acceptable.
|
English Assessment structure Assessment Structure L1 |
Duration |
|
Speaking, listening and communication is assessed through one 3 minute talk and linked question and answer session in groups of three or four, and a 10 minute formal discussion together in groups of three to five learners. |
10 – 20 minutes in total |
|
Reading is assessed through a test comprised of controlled response and open response questions |
60 minutes |
|
Writing is assessed through a test comprised of two tasks.(42% of the marks assesses spelling, punctuation and grammar) |
60 minutes |
|
Assessment Structure -L2 |
Duration |
|
Speaking, listening and communication is assessed through one 5 minute talk and linked question and answer session in groups of three or four, and a 15 minute formal discussion together in groups of three to five learners. |
Up to 25 minutes |
|
Reading is assessed through a test comprised of multiple choice, short open response and medium open response questions |
1 hour 15 minutes |
|
Writing is assessed through a test comprised of two tasks.(42% of the marks assesses spelling, punctuation and grammar) |
60 minutes |