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About the Functional Skills Support Programme

National Strategies are creating a set of web pages which provide guidance for different users on how to make best use of the resources available. The pages will direct users to relevant support across all the e-learning and other materials on the National Strategies website.

To browse the currently available support, please visit the functional skills pages of the National Strategies website.

For more details, select a link from the list:

Headteacher

Guidance is available for headteachers and senior leaders covering issues such as:

  • getting started with functional skills in your school;
  • implementing functional skills across all departments;
  • support for developing links with GCSE and Diploma achievement.

The support available draws on a variety of materials including planning examples, video illustrations and case studies from a range of schools.

Subject leader of English, mathematics or ICT

The guidance addresses the needs of subject leaders in English, mathematics and ICT, focusing on the pedagogy for the development of functional skills in each subject. The support focuses on how to cascade training for teachers in the department, applied learning within new GCSE specifications, and developing independent problem-solving skills. The support draws on a variety of materials covering the development of functional skills in each subject and includes planning examples, video exemplification of teaching and assessment approaches and illustrative case studies from a range of schools.

Subject teacher of a subject other than English, mathematics or ICT

The guidance is presented from a geography teacher’s viewpoint but could apply across all subjects. It focuses on developing applied learning to support subject achievement. The wider support available draws on a series of ‘Functional skills in subjects’ materials that provide examples of the ways in which work in each subject can support the development of learners’ functional skills. The materials include example planning for each subject for both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 which illustrate the way learning in each subject can contribute to the developing functionality.

Line manager

The guidance addresses the need for line managers to support subject leaders in developing appropriate teaching and learning approaches in their departments. It explores ways in which line managers can work with subject leads to ensure that the development of the teaching of functional skills is taken forward effectively. The wider support draws on a variety of materials including planning examples, video illustrations and case studies from a range of schools.

LA consultant

The guidance here explores how a new consultant can gain knowledge about functional skills and the appropriate pedagogies in order to support schools. There is guidance on how the materials might help a consultant in their work. The wider support available draws on a variety of materials covering the development of functional skills in different subjects and includes planning examples, video illustrations of teaching and assessment approaches and case studies from a range of schools. The materials can be used by consultants in training with schools.

ITT lecturer

The guidance here shows how the materials might be used with student teachers to support their understanding of functional skills and their work in schools on placements. The wider support draws on a variety of materials including planning examples, video exemplification and case studies from a range of schools. The materials can be used in training with student teachers.