For the latest information about the transition arrangements for Functional Skills and Key Skills please click on the following link http://www.qcda.gov.uk/news/6084.aspx
Functional Skills
QCDA have now approved the delivery of NOCN Level 1 and Level 2 assessments. New Entry sample assessments and mark schemes are now on the NOCN website. Go to Learning Providers, then Functional Skills and then follow the link to the sample assessments.
New live Entry assessments will be available at the end of this month. Guidance has already been sent round to you re Conduct of Assessments and the Qualification Guide is being updated.
Don’t forget the email support address functionalskills@nocn.org.uk for any assessment queries.
Functional Skills – Diagnostic assessments
http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=128826
ULNs
Centres must use ULNs for all registrations to Functional Skills as this is now mandatory – please visit the MIAP webs site at : http://www.miap.gov.uk/
Training
Countdown Events are still taking place around the country. Please visit the QCDA website http://www.qcda.gov.uk/25185.aspx to book a place. These are very important for new and existing centres.
A reminder too that the Functional Skills Support Programme is offering free and bespoke training to all providers whether or not they are in the pilot. Find out more at www.fssupport.org
Dates for NOCN Functional Skills workshops are now available.
New QCDA functional skills toolkit
A new functional skills toolkit for exams office staff 2009/10 is now available on the QCDA website at www.qcda.gov.uk/fstoolkit. The toolkit consists of a number of downloadable resources that cover the information and activities needed to administer the qualifications. The materials are designed for exams management, but will also provide useful information for other staff in your centre.
Functional Skills Qualification Developments
National Open College Network(NOCN) are currently engaged in the QCA three year Pilot for Functional Skills qualifications. The NOCN Skills for Life team have developed Functional Skills assessments in English Mathematics and ICT at the following levels:
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
OCNEMR are working under the umbrella of NOCN and have Functional Skills Pilot Centres in the East Midlands. For 2008/2009, OCNEMR will be considering expressions of interest from additional centres who would like to be involved in this pilot (commencing September 2008). Therefore, if your centre would like further information regading this pilot please contact Curriculum Development Manager - Patricia Coates-Walker on: patricia.coates-walker@ocnemr.org.uk
Inclusion in the Pilot project is at the discretion of the QCA.
Functional Skills Support Programme e-bulletin September 2009
Useful Links to Other Information
NationalOpenCollegeNetwork (NOCN)- Functional Skills
Link to the NOCN website for the Functional Skills Sample Assessments:
Other useful NOCN links:
http://www.nocn.org.uk/page/5511
http://www.nocn.org.uk/page/5510
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
!!Direct link to the Essential Documents - The Standards:
http://www.qca.org.uk/libraryAssets/media/QCA-07-3472-functional-skills_standards.pdf
Amplification of the Standards:
http://www.qca.org.uk/libraryAssets/media/qca-08-3700_Functional_skills_guidance_amplification_of_the_standards.pdf
Other Information:
QCA– Functional Skills
http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_6062.aspx
QCA- Functional Skills Standards
http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_6066.aspx
QCA– Functional Skills Bulletins
http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_6063.aspx
QCA- Delivering Functional Skills:
http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_14376.aspx
Quality Improvement Agency (QIA):
Functional Skills Support Programme:
http://excellence.qia.org.uk/functionalskills
Department for Schools and Families – Standards Site:
Functional Skills Support Programme:
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/secondary/keystage4/iss/ks4_fssp/
Programme Schedule:
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/secondary/keystage4/iss/ks4_fssp/schedule/
14-19 Education and Skills:
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19/index.cfm?ctype=None&pid=225&ptype=Contents&sid=3
LSC:
NOCN’s FS qualifications on the LAD: http://providers.lsc.gov.uk/LAD/aims/searchcriteria.asp
Enter NOCN as the awarding body code and functional skills in the aim title
