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OCNW Functional Skills

Welcome to the OCNW Functional Skills homepage. This page contains the latest information on one of our flagship new developments. In the coming months you can expect to find copies of our sample assessments and news about forthcoming events here.

-NEW- Our sample assessment papers for Functional Skills English, Maths and ICT are now available to download from the downloads section of our Functional Skills pages.

ASSESSMENT WINDOW TWO:  9 June 2008 - 27 June 2008 - Centres who wish to register learners for this assessment window should do so by Friday 23 May 2008

The papers for the English Speaking and Listening assessment are available to download in the CONTENTS, download section below.

Overview

In February 2005 the Government produced the 14 -19 Education and Skills white paper. The paper proposed a package of reforms to help raise attainment in schools and colleges. One of the key focuses of these changes was to ensure that every young person, no matter which route they choose, should achieve mastery of the basics needed for life and work.

As a consequence of this the then Department for Education and Skills commissioned the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to develop new Functional Skills standards in the core subjects of English, Maths and Information and Communication Technology. These standards were developed in consultation with a number of key stakeholders including Awarding Bodies, schools and colleges.

The standards have been developed in a way that ensures that learners are taught to apply these skills across a range of contexts. Learners of all ages who develop these skills will have the basic tools required to progress in education, training and employment and also a broader range of wider aptitudes and abilities that will provide them with the knowledge and understanding to change their lives for the better.

OCNW is one of twelve Awarding Bodies that has been chosen by the QCA to develop qualifications and assessments against these new standards as part of the Functional Skills pilot that began in September 2007 and will continue until August 2010. At this point the Functional Skills qualifications are expected to replace the Key Skills and Basic Skills qualifications.

Contents

 

§         Who are Functional Skills for?

A look at who the Functional Skills qualifications are for and how they fit into other strategies

 

§         How can I get involved?

Information on how to get involved in the OCNW Functional Skills pilot

 

§         Assessment

Information on how the OCNW Functional Skills qualifications are assessed

 

§         Downloads

-The Functional Skills standards and sample assessment papers for Functional Maths

-The English Functional Skills assessment papers for Speaking & Listening

-Sample assessment material for all areas of the Functional Skills

-The Functional Skills specifications for English, Maths and ICT to download straight to your computer

 

§         Useful links

A selection of links to more information and background on Functional Skills project

 

§         Funding

The latest information on the funding of the Functional Skills pilot from the LSC

 

Functional Skills QCA accreditation numbers

Maths

Entry Level: 500/2672/0

Level 1:       500/2674/4

Level 2:       500/2668/9

 

English

Entry Level: 500/2632/X

Level 1:       500/2671/9

Level 2:       500/2640/9

 

ICT

Entry Level: 500/2636/7

Level 1:       500/2658/6

Level 2:       500/2670/7

Key Contacts

If you have any questions about the OCNW Functional Skills pilot then you should contact a member of the OCNW Functional Skills Team.

 

Chris Atkinson

Ben Rockliffe

 

The team can be contacted through phoning the OCNW office on 01524 845046

Fees

 

For Functional Skills qualifications OCNW has a flat fee for registration and certification across all levels and all subjects. We charge:

 

£12 per Learner Registration

 

In addition to this there is

 

No Centre approval charge

 

No area registration charge

 

No minimum charge

 

for the duration for the 3 year pilot.