Functional Skills

Functional English

 

Functional Skills assessment

  • Provides realistic contexts, scenarios and problems
  • specifies tasks that are relevant to the context
  • requires application of knowledge, skills and understanding for a purpose
  • requires problem-solving.

Assessment design and certification

  • Each assessment is designed to assess a single level
  • No grade scale, results will either be a pass or ungraded.
  • Reading and Writing at Levels 1 and 2 is externally set and marked
  • Reading and Writing at Entry 3 is externally set and internally marked
  • Speaking , Listening and Communication at all levels and Reading and Writing at Entry 1 and Entry 2 are internally set and internally marked.

Entry 1 shows that students can:

  • read and understand short, simple texts that explain or recount information
  • write short simple sentences
  • participate in and understand the main points of simple discussions / exchanges about familiar topics with another person in a familiar situation.

shows that students can:

  • read and understand straightforward texts that explain, inform or recount information
  • write short texts with some awareness of the intended audience
  • participate in discussions / exchanges about familiar topics, making active contributions, with one or more people in familiar situations.

shows that students can:

  • read and understand the purpose and content of straightforward texts that explain, inform and recount information
  • write texts with some adaptation to the intended audience
  • respond appropriately to others and make some extended contributions in familiar formal and informal discussions and exchanges.

shows that students can:

  • read and understand a range of texts
  • write a range of texts to communicate information, ideas and opinions, using formats and styles suitable for their purpose and audience
  • take full part in formal and informal discussions and exchanges that include unfamiliar subjects.

shows that students can:

  • select, read, understand and compare texts and use them to gather information, ideas, arguments and opinions
  • write a range of texts, to communicate information, ideas and opinions, effectively and persuasively
  • make a range of contributions to discussions in a range of contexts including those that are unfamiliar, and make effective presentations.

Functional Skills counts towards the school Achievement and Attainment Tables. The performance points awarded are listed below. (Please note that points for Level 1 and 2 are in addition to points allocated for other qualifications, such as GCSEs).

Functional English LevelPoints
Level 223
Level 112.5
Entry 37
Entry 26
Entry 15

For further details on performance measures please see the Department for Education website.