Monday 17 December 2012

Functional Skills Newsletter - Funding, 16-19 Study Programmes, Maths tutorial videos


December 18th - the Functional Skills newsletter
Another busy period for Functional Skills.
This week we have news on 16-19 Study Programmes, more detail on the recent announcements on funding (yes it really did double and yes, it really is backdated) plus we have summary reports of the Skills for Life research report showing that the issues we all suspected in Maths, really do exist.
And with perfect timing, Guroo announce the availability of a series of "Tutorial Videos", high impact 3-5 minute videos mixing animation with real life examples and clear teaching on a range of hard to grasp concepts (lots of maths in the first release phase).
No webinar this week, but links to all previous webinar recordings are still available including the ever popular quick guide to latest Functional Skills policy.
And finally, all of us at Guroo (Sally, Cathy, Jonathan, Simon, Andy, Neil and Daisy) wish all of you a restful break (if you manage to get one).  Guroo will be ?breaking up? on Friday 21st December and back raring to go on Wednesday 2nd January.
As always, your comments and thoughts are appreciated - let us know what you'd like us to cover in the newsletter by emailing the editor - jwells@guroo.co.uk

Significant changes to 16-19 study programmes
Starting September 2013, the biggest change to post 16 education in a generation occurs.  
Part of that change are 16-19 study programmes which will have three key elements:
  • A substantive qualification which offers progression into higher levels of education or into skilled employment
  • Functional English and maths for those who have not yet achieved at least level 2
  • Non-qualification activity including tutorial time and high quality work experience or internships
As well as the programmes, the changes mean that the link between qualifications and funding will be broken and Ofsted inspectors will pay particular attention to the quality, coherence and appropriateness of study programmes to students.

SFA Funding Rates for English and Maths qualifications
Rigorous qualifications for Maths and English are high on the Government agenda, of that there is no doubt. The changes in funding apply just to maths and English and the change has effectively been backdated to August 1st.
We confidently expect that funding rates for next year will be announced in January 2013.  At the same time, a new simplified funding system will be introduced and were hopeful that Functional Skills will be "worth" £724 irrespective of delivery or sector, and to quote the SFA.
"Under simplification, each qualification will have a single rate which will make funding levels transparent and we will scrap the different funding models that exist between workplace and classroom based provision."
Where can I see the SFA document?
How is it being done?
For this year, the Standard Learner Number (SLN) value for Functional English and maths is adjusted from 0.08 to 0.168 - an increase of 110%. So if you are funded by reference to the SLN, your rate will more than double.
When do the changes take effect?
Now is the short answer.  Providers claim through their existing 16-18 Apprenticeship budget and single Adult Skills Budget. 
What does this mean?
The table below is take directly from the SFA document and applies to 2012/13.  Providers funded through model 22 (typically FE Colleges using an unlisted rate) will see no change.

 Current Rate
 New Rate
 16-18 Apprenticeships
 £224
 £471
 19-24 Apprenticeships (plus employer contribution)
 £173
 £362
 25+ Apprenticeships (plus employer contribution)
 £138
 £290
 19+ Standalone delivered through Funding Model 45
 £314
 £724

There really is a very big problem with maths ability.
Eight million adults have the maths skills of a 9 year old or worse according to a new 425 page report released by the Government.  And it's a problem that's been getting worse over the years.  That means 25% of the population has a problem with maths that seriously disadvantages them in work, health and in their role as parents.
Research at Guroo using the results of more than 10,000 initial assessments in maths confirms this with the average result coming out at Entry level 3 - a considerable learning distance from the Governments stated goal of Level 2 for all adults.
As a direct result of that research, Guroo is currently developing "Tutorials", a number of high impact tutorial videos that mix animation with teaching and lots of real life examples based around the key concepts in Maths.  The first dozen or so tutorials will cover skills such as graphs, rounding, converting, probability, multiplication and division, mean and range, area and perimeters, formulae and decimals and we're also working on English grammar topics too.
Wednesday Webinar at 4.00pm
No webinar this week I'm afraid, but all previous webinars are recorded and available anytime for playback - login as a guest and the password is password.  Simply click on the links below and don’t forget, if you’d like to have your own 1:1 webinar looking at how Guroo can help you support Functional Skills, just call us on 0191 305 5045 or email info@guroo.co.uk and we’ll take it from there.