| Exam Board | Specification | Title | Head of Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edexcel | EL1, EL2, EL3, L1, L2 | Functional Skills | Miss S Sinnerton |
Introduction
Functional Skills qualifications provide a foundation for progression to employment and further technical education and help students to develop skills for everyday life. There are several different pathways students can take, and this will be decided based on their current working at level in mathematics. Entry Level 3 builds to Entry Level 1 by developing understanding and fluency of key mathematical skills in context. This provides the skills for Level 1 and 2 qualifications (Level 2 is equivalent to a GCSE Mathematics grade 4).
Aims of the Course
All Qualifications will cover the same content areas but go into concepts at different depths.
- Using numbers and the number system – whole numbers, fractions and decimals
- Using common measures, shape and space
- Handling information and data
These qualifications provide a foundation for progression to employment and further education, and they help learners to develop skills for everyday life. The qualifications should:
- Indicate 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.
- Introduce students to new areas of life and work, which will be of value later in life.
- Allow students to develop an appreciation of the role mathematics plays in the world of life and work.
Assessment
Each qualification has different examination structures:
Entry Level 1
- Section A: Non-Calculator (20 minutes, 5 marks, 25% of the qualification)
- Section B: Calculator (60 minutes, 15 marks, 75% of the qualification)
Entry Level 2
- Section A: Non-Calculator (25 minutes, 7 marks, 25% of the qualification)
- Section B: Calculator (65 minutes, 21 marks, 75% of the qualification)
Entry Level 3
- Section A: Non-Calculator (25 minutes, 9 marks, 25% of the qualification)
- Section B: Calculator (75 minutes, 27 marks, 75% of the qualification)
Level 1
- Section A: Non-Calculator (25 minutes, 14 marks, 25% of the qualification)
- Section B: Calculator (90 minutes, 42 marks, 75% of the qualification)
Level 2
- Section A: Non-Calculator (25 minutes, 16 marks, 25% of the qualification)
- Section B: Calculator (90 minutes, 48 marks, 75% of the qualification)