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Functional Skills

Summer 2008

Performance points announced.

The DCSF has confirmed the Achievement and Attainment Table (AAT) performance points for functional skills at each level. They are as follows:

The points for Levels 1 and 2 will be in addition to those allocated for GCSEs and the Foundation and Higher Diploma. In respect of candidates undertaking the Advanced Diploma, the points are incorporated within the Diploma performance points unless the candidate does not complete the whole Diploma – in this case AAT points will be awarded for whatever the learner has achieved.

Spring 2008

The functional skills pilots are now well underway in the county with some examinations having been taken this January.

The next day of the training by the SSE Strategy Team for pilot centres, is to take place on the 20th February and all those involved will receive details about the day.

All of the Awarding Bodies have full details about their assessment methods and CPD opportunities on their respective web sites .

For further information use the following links.

QCA general information on functional skills:

• www.qca.org.uk/qca_6062.aspx

Edexcel

• http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/fs/

AQA

• www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/functional_skills.php

OCR

• www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/1419changes/functionalskills/

There are a total of 12 awarding bodies who are piloting the functional skills and this information can be found on the QCA website.

If you nedd another other information about the functional skills
please contact Kay Leach (01582 830321 or kay.leach@hertscc.gov.uk) or Anne Worsley (01582 830321 or anne.worsley@hertscc.gov.uk) both of whom are 14-19 Advisers.

Autumn 2007

The Gateway guidance explained that consortia approved to offer Diplomas in September 2008 would participate in the Functional Skills pilots in September 2007.

The FS awarding bodies will manage the pilot, overseen by the QCA, and support individual pilot centres. The Secondary National Strategies (SNS) and Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) will also provide training and resources to support effective teaching of FS.

Staff from the Children, Schools and Families’ Secondary National Strategy and 14-19 teams are attending DfES briefings about Functional Skills. They will be working with the National Strategy consultants and 14-19 Advisers to deliver training and support for the schools identified by the SAPGs for the pilot.

FS will be, in time, incorporated into GCSEs (English, mathematics and ICT), Diplomas and apprenticeships; they will also be available as standalone qualifications for young people and adults. The pilots beginning in September 2007 will cover the three functional skills areas: English, mathematics and ICT at entry level and levels 1 and 2.

Schools and colleges, teachers and learners from the 3 SAPGs which received category 1 (unconditional start for September 2008) and category 2 have been nominated to take part in the pilot.  We will ensure that we keep you all up-to-date with progress with the pilots.

For further information about the Successful Consortia Support Pack including functional skills:

• www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/

QCA

The QCA has published information about functional skills 'Functional Skills - your questions answered'. Please click here to access the document as a pdf:

• www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/documents/
  FunctionalSkillsLeaflet.pdf

The QCA has published three functional skills standards documents for English, mathematics and ICT.

Functional skills standards are technical documents that define and differentiate the skill requirements for the functional skills qualifications currently being developed.

The standards are the basis from which awarding bodies commence modelling, trialling and testing sample assessment approaches for inclusion in the suite of qualifications.

The standards, which were developed through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, have been produced from Entry level to level 2.

To access the standards:

• www.qca.org.uk/15895.html

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Diploma Funding

Authorities will receive £30,000 for each new Diploma starting in 2009 (i.e. for 24 lines) this money will go to SAPGs as soon as it is received.

A group representing each of the 3 SAPGs running Diplomas in 2008 (including heads and college representatives), LSC and CSF representatives met to discuss delivery costs of Diplomas at each level. Various models were discussed for 14-16 year olds based on LSC standard learner number values, IF funding values and the hours allocated to Diploma component parts. Post 16 Diploma funding is based on LSC weightings. The use of the £1,000 Diploma grant for each young person 14-16 following a Diploma in 2008 was also discussed.

The recommendations of this group includes allocating the £1,000 to each home school 14-16 (in line with ACSL recommendations), fixing a rate per hour for delivery of principal learning and specific additional/specialist learning which is additional to the current offer and using all funding streams i.e. the Diploma grant, SAPG funding and AWPU to cover costs 2008 -9 have gone to the county Strategic Partnership Group (SPG) for discussion.

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Diploma Specifications

Summer 2008

The QCA is holding consultation events in May and June to help develop the content of Diplomas in public services, retail, sport and leisure and travel and tourism.  For further information about dates and venues please follow this link:

• www.qca.org.uk/qca_15332.aspx

Draft criteria for consultation will be available to download from the QCA website from 5 May 2008.

Spring 2008

The National Database of Accredited Qualifications has published Diploma catalogues for the first 5 Lines of Learning which will be taught from September 2008 onwards:

• www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk/DiplomaCatalogueSelection.aspx

These are as follows:

• IT
• Creative and Media
• Engineering
• Health and Social Care
• Construction and the Built Environment

Within each Diploma catalogue you can view the principal learning and project qualifications at each level, as well as a full listing of the functional and additional and specialist leaning relevant to each Diploma.

Specifications for the following phase 2 Lines of Learning will be available in centres by September, for first teaching in 2009:

• Business, Administration and Finance
• Environmental and Land-based Studies
• Hair and Beauty Studies
• Hospitality
• Manufacturing and Product Design

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View Diploma Courses on Offer in Hertfordshire

To view the Diploma courses on offer from September 2008 onwards across Hertfordshire please see this link:

• www.hertschoices.org.uk/DiplomaWelcome.aspx

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Further Information about Diplomas

For further information about Diplomas please see the QCA’s Diploma Frequently Asked Questions:

• http://qca.custhelp.com

In addition, hertschoices has a Frequently Asked Questions section on Diplomas:

• www.hertschoices.org.uk/DiplomaFAQ.aspx

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