Tuesday 30 November 2010

Functional Skills Newsletter Nov 30th

Our fortnightly look at the world of Functional Skills.

In this issue, BIS launch Skills for Sustainable Growth; our take on the White Paper; fact, rumour and predictions we picked up at the conference and more regional conferences announced with a link to the London event presentations.

Vince Cable and John Hayes launch Skills for Sustainable Growth - After a three month consultation, BIS have published their strategy for skills and FE. Click here for a quick link. We noted paragraph 20 of the "investing" document goes a lot further than ever before in suggesting that Functional Skills will replace current Adult Basic Skills from 2012/13.

The Education White Paper - We went through all 90 pages of the "Importance of Teaching" white paper with a fine tooth comb and whilst there is no specific reference to Functional Skills, there is certainly nothing negative either. Here's three items we picked out:

"We will review the operation of the current ‘basic skills’ tests of literacy and numeracy which teachers are required to pass before they can practice. We will make sure student teachers take the test at the start rather than the end of the course, reduce the scope for retaking (currently one in seven teachers re-sits one of the tests more than three times), and strengthen the rigour of the tests to ensure they set a high enough standard." Editors note - is this Functional Skills for teachers perhaps?

"While good vocational qualifications are important and valuable, too many young people are following courses because they are easy for schools or colleges to deliver or because they confer advantages in the accountability system."

"Professor Wolf will also consider what controls are needed to ensure that vocational qualifications offered to students in schools, colleges or independent training providers up to the age of 19 are as robust and appropriate as GCSEs and A Levels."

Fact, predictions and rumours! Coming as a direct result of the conversations we had at the Making Sense of Functional Skills conference, we think:

  • Fact - From August 2011, the Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy qualifications, will not be approved under Section 96 and therefore will not be eligible for public funding for young people (under the age of 19 years). Click here for more information on Section 96. Editors note - this link is also great for seeing which qualifications are approved.
  • Prediction - We are starting to hear about good empirical evidence that shows Functional Skills improves GCSE attainment. We'll keep all readers informed of what we find out.
  • Rumour - Key skills will get another terms stay of execution for those enrolled on Apprenticeships now.

Regional Conferences - After the success of the first event in London (the pic below was taken at the conference) we're planning four more. Oldham and Exeter are planned for late February/early March with Walsall and Grantham early/mid June. Go to www.guroo.info/events to download presentations from London.

Functional Skills resources from Guroo

Next issue! The next issue of the Functional Skills newsletter will be back to the regular schedule on Tuesday 14th December. If you have a story, a question or a suggestion - please contact jwells@guroo.co.uk Please also feel free to forward this newsletter to your Functional Skills friends, it's free, informative and occasionally just a little bit of fun.




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Monday 29 November 2010

More vocational push

A nice piece in the Guardian today.

Government skills strategy aims to address 'failings' in training

Vince Cable pledges to increase apprenticeships and vocational training, despite spending cuts


The government today announced moves to tackle the "current failings" in skills training, while admitting that savings will have to be made because of cuts in public spending.

Business secretary Vince Cable said the government wanted to improve workers' skills aand engage them in learning. "If we are to achieve sustainable growth, nothing is more important than addressing current failings in skills training, and this strategy reflects this government's determination to do both.

"We are not in a position to throw money at the problem, but even against the backdrop of reductions, resource will be found to expand the apprenticeship programme for adults and support more people undertaking an increasingly respected form of vocational training."

He said reforms included expanding adult apprenticeships, so that by 2014-15 there will be be 75,000 more places than under the Labour government's plans.

Government-backed loans will be available from 2013-14 for learners over the age of 24, while a "growth and innovation" fund of up to £50m will be launched.

Skills minister John Hayes said: "The government's skills strategy is one of the most important documents yet published by the coalition government. Helping business and individuals gain the skills they need is vital to helping the country gain economic strength and build sustainable growth in the long term.

"Despite a reduction in the further education and skills budget, we are continuing to protect and invest in programmes that provide the highest quality and greatest benefit to the maximum number of people."

Under the spending review, the further education budget will be cut by 25% by 2014-15.

Dr Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "We are pleased that the government's new approach to skills has business growth at its heart.

"The government has taken up a number of our long-standing recommendations, including the need to focus limited resources on technical skills, on apprenticeships, and on helping small and medium-sized businesses get access to the right workforce. After all, these are the companies that will drive employment and productivity growth in the years to come."

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "There is much to welcome in the strategy – plans to increase the number of apprenticeships, continued free courses for adults who struggle with their reading and writing, and the recognition that unions are key to helping people sign up for learning at work.

"But at a time when UK employers are still putting far too little money into training their staff, cuts to the funding of courses which adults can currently access for free will force many more employees who want to get on at work to fund their own training.

"At a time when inflation is high, pay is being squeezed and hundreds of thousands of job losses are on the cards, paying for training is likely to be a very low priority for cash-strapped workers."

Sally Hunt, the University and College Union general secretary, said: "We welcome the government's intention to raise the status of vocational education, but is it realistic to expect private sector employers to take on three-quarters of a million adult apprentices during an economic downturn?

"Many adult students doing vocational courses are in low-skilled, low-paid jobs and will be forced to rely on loans to fund their study. We know from research that it is people from low-income households who are most likely to be put off by the prospect of debt. Some will decide expensive retraining financed through credit is not an option."

Christina McAnea, Unison's head of education, said: "This is not a strategy for sustainable growth. Cuts in further education and skills will be disastrous for learners, colleges and the wider economy. Millions of people will be saddled with debt trying to get a decent education if the government gets its way.

"Learners not only have to face huge job and course cuts: those seeking financial help will see their funding slashed and be left struggling to start out or re-skill after the recession."

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "We recognise the importance of having people with the right skills for employment, but we are disappointed that these proposals are totally focused on the economy rather than the needs of learners."

Wednesday 24 November 2010

We got a mention in Parliament

I met Bridget when i was down in London for the launch of Sunderland's Economic Master Plan. She clearly listened and all credit to her for taking action as well.


....Bridget then spoke of the successful partnership of Sunderland City Council, One North East, University of Sunderland and the business community in pioneering services such as the e-volve centre and Sunderland Software City. These combined efforts have attracted software companies estimated at a worth of £250 million to the region, including Fifth Generation Technologies, Codeworks, DigitalCity, The Test Factory, Raise a Tree, and Guroo.

http://bridgetphillipson.co.uk/software_support

Never does any harm to get a positive mention!

At last some college good news?

Or maybe it's bad news for the schools......

We will consult on developing and introducing a clear,
transparent and fairer national funding formula based
on the needs of pupils and end the disparity in funding
for 16–18 year-olds.

White paper today.


Teachers will have to pass Functional Skills!

From the white paper published today:

Second, we will review the operation of the current ‘basic skills’ tests of literacy
and numeracy which teachers are required to pass before they can practice. We
will make sure student teachers take the test at the start rather than the end of
the course, reduce the scope for retaking (currently one in seven teachers re-sits
one of the tests more than three times).

I think that means that teachers will have to pass their functional skills!

FS newsletter Nov 18th

Our fortnightly look at the world of Functional Skills.

Apologies for this edition being late - but on the usual publication date (Tuesday) we were all tied up at the first "Making Sense of Functional Skills" conference in London. With keynote speakers from Local Authorities, Colleges, Work Based Learning, YPLA and the CBI, what better to fill this edition with than copies of their presentations!

Making Sense of Functional Skills, London, November 2010

If you weren't there, the one-line summary messages from the keynote speakers were:

Gill Scott, Manchester LA
You can use Functional Skills to support attainment, especially in GCSE. Manchester are doing it and their learners "get it". There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but you can do it.

Gareth Griffiths, YPLA
There is a good deal of excellence in education, but too little equality. We are still failing our most disadvantaged learners. Functional Skills has a part to play in giving those learners a chance.

Freda Leaning, Grimsby Institute
People are working on producing diagnostic and levelling tools for Functional Skills - but it isn't as easy as it was for previous qualifications!

Richard Jackson, Camden Job Train
Work based learning is a powerful way to engage learners - especially NEETs and similar groups - but they still have to be "knowingly competent" with Functional Skills.

Simon Nathan, CBI
The CBI supports robust qualifications and sees Functional Skills as an important part of employability.

Copies of the presentations are available online from the Guroo events page



Future Events
Following the success of, and feedback from this first event, we'll be sitting down soon to scope out dates and locations for the next events around the country. These will drill down to an extra level of detail regarding practical delivery of Functional Skills teaching and learning, and will focus on "for practitioners by practitioners" guidance and sharing of best practice and experience. More details very soon!

Exam officers - updated information about administering Functional Skills assessments. Judging by the questions to the Awarding Organisations and QCDA on Tuesday, it's clear everyone is hungry for detail, detail, detail. A good place to start is the updated guidance is available here.

Functional Skills resources from Guroo

Next issue! The next issue of the Functional Skills newsletter will be back to the regular schedule on Tuesday 30th November. If you have a story, a question or a suggestion - please contact jwells@guroo.co.uk Please also feel free to forward this newsletter to your Functional Skills friends, it's free, informative and occasionally just a little bit of fun.

Sunday 14 November 2010

Functional Skills exams

http://muchfurthereducation.wordpress.com/

I picked this up through my google tracker and I did like the description of the nervousness of the Functional Skills exam compared to ALAN (which is now effectively banned in schools).

Juts though it was interesting.

Monday 8 November 2010

Book now - Functional Skills conference

A final reminder - Making Sense of Functional Skills Conference

Tuesday 16th November at Mary Ward House, 5-7 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SN

The final agenda and speakers have been released

9.30 Registration and marketplace

10.00 Jonathan Wells (Chair) Introduction and welcome

10.15 Gill Scott (Manchester LA) Raising attainment with Functional Skills

10.30 Gareth Griffiths (YPLA) Closing the GAP with Functional Skills

10.45 Freda Leaning (Grimsby Institute) A Diagnostic for Entry Level Functional Skills

11.00 Break and marketplace

11.20 Morning Workshop

12.15 Lunch and marketplace

1.15 Stewart Hutton (Guroo) A lighthearted look at Functional Skills from our sponsors

1.35 Richard Jackson (Camden JobTrain) What it all means to a training provider

1.50 Simon Nathan (CBI) Employability and employers views

2.05 Break and marketplace

2.25 Afternoon Workshop

3.20 Ask the Awarding Organisations and Speakers

3.35 Final comments and end

We have four workshops run by expert Functional Skills practitioners repeated am/pm in addition to the keynotes led by:

· Jane Williams who will run Functional Skills in Foundation Learning.

· Heather Frier running Functional Skills in Apprenticeships.

· Gill Scott will take Functional Skills in GCSE.

· Sally Bryant will run Using Guroo to Support Functional Skills.

Your last chance to book - click the banner below for full event details or click here to go directly to the bookings page.

Once you have registered, choose off-line payment to received an invoice. Don't forget to use the promotion code NEWS25 to claim your discount and pay only £125. Guroo subscribers go free - call the Guroo Guys on 0191 305 5045 for your promotion code.


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Sunday 7 November 2010

The easy exam option argument rumbles on ...

Comments form a Radio 5 investigation .... linked form the BBC education site.

"If you are a head teacher you'd want to get the best results you could and so you seek out the best awarding body offering the best way forward.

"The awarding bodies know that and so they make it possible for everybody to succeed.

"So everybody is pushing at the edges of the rules. It's the professional foul really, it's the sleight of hand - everybody is testing the tolerance to the limit."

This is the view of Professor Mick Waters, a former director at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority - the body responsible for overseeing educational standards in England, until it was dissolved earlier this year.

Speaking to 5 live Investigates he also claims that the new exam regulator for England, The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a "toothless" watchdog, incapable of dealing with the problem.

Professor Waters' comments have been strongly denied by Ofqual, but they are likely to inflame the ongoing row over academic standards and specifically the publication of league tables, which have been the subject of controversy ever since they were introduced in 1992.

Jonathan Wells writes that it remains the elephant in the room that no-one is prepared to be honest about.


Monday 1 November 2010

Functional Skills Newsletter Nov 2nd

Our fortnightly look at the world of Functional Skills.

This week we report on the Ofsted Chief Inspector's comments about Functional Skills, a quick look at the Spending Review in relation to Functional Skills, fully updated guidance for administering Functional Skills assessments for exam officers (why not forward this newsletter to them now) and a reminder that Guroo subscribers are entitled to a free place at the Making Sense of Functional Skills conference on Tuesday 16th November.

Ofsted on Diplomas and Functional Skills. Christine Gilbert, Chief Inspector at Ofsted in the report "Diplomas: the second year" had a number of interesting comments. Perhaps the most revealing was that students didn't know that Functional Skills were a key part of the course! Click here for the Press Association report.

"The findings show that many students did not realise that "functional skills" in English, maths and information and communication technology (ICT) were an important part of their course."

"Diploma students were enthusiastic about the vocational elements of their courses and excelled when given the chance to apply their learning to work-based situations."

"More also needs to be done to make the teaching of the functional skills of English, mathematics and ICT more industry-relevant, and joined up with the main subject content."

The CSR - what does it really mean? Even after the Governments announcements - are we really that much clearer on what it all means? Trying to cut through all the scare stories and political positioning, we think the CSR means for Functional Skills:

  • Direct school budgets are sort of protected but extra money, previously ring fenced for specific projects is unlikely to be available so it's possible some schools will lose out.
  • FE budgets will be cut with a move away from funding adult courses, the dropping of EMA but an increase in Apprenticeships will help in 16-19.
  • Central organisations continue to suffer, following on the heels of Becta and QCDA, the SSAT now appears to be under threat with the removal of all central funding.

Guroo subscribers go free to the Making Sense of Functional Skills conference - but you must book! Making Sense of Functional Skills is in London on Tuesday 16th November. Join more than 100 like minded colleagues and a reminder that Guroo subscribers get one free place and one half price place - call us for the promotion code. Newsletter readers save £25 by using the promotion code NEWS25.

Exam officers - updated information about administering Functional Skills assessments. The newsletter has officially declared it's "help the exam officer" week. Start by letting them know that updated guidance is available here.

Functional Skills resources from Guroo

Next issue! The next issue of the Functional Skills newsletter will be sent on Tuesday 16th November, the same day as the Functional Skills conference. If you have a story, a question or a suggestion - please contact jwells@guroo.co.uk Please also feel free to forward this newsletter to your Functional Skills friends, it's free, informative and occasionally just a little bit of fun - and don't forget to book your place at the Making Sense of Functional Skills conference - I'm the chair!