Resources
The Resources section allows you to browse useful materials from the Functional Skills Support Programme and other sources.
You can use the filters below to view, for example, only resources that are specific to a schools audience, or resources on a particular topic within functional skills, such as the Diploma.
As a starting point in looking for support, you may wish to download the Readiness tool, to help you evaluate your centre’s readiness to deliver functional skills.
Schools can also access a wide range of resources on the National Strategies website.
Popular resources
Functional English: Speaking, Listening and Communication (PDF 468KB)
Provides guidance to practitioners new to functional skills English, particularly the speaking, listening and communication component.
Functional skills case study: MidKent College (PDF 75KB)
Alison Gardiner is head of learner support at MidKent College, one of Kent’s largest education and training providers. She outlines their experience on the functional skills pilot and lessons learned to date.
Functional Skills in Apprenticeships (PDF 173KB)
Dealing with the delivery and management of functional skills for Apprenticeship providers, this document provides information on the business case for functional skills, teaching and learning strategies and planning for functional skills. It also gives a brief summary of how functional skills differ from key skills.
Functional Skills in Diplomas: Business, Administration and Finance
This booklet has been produced for teachers of Principal Learning in the Diploma in Business, Administration and Finance, at any level. It provides a summary of approaches to the delivery of functional skills within the Diploma, with activities at all three levels to show how naturally occurring functional skills opportunities exist within Diploma units.
Functional Skills in Diplomas: Construction and the Built Environment
This booklet has been produced for teachers of Principal Learning in the Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment, at any level. It provides a summary of approaches to the delivery of functional skills within the Diploma, with activities at all three levels to show how naturally occurring functional skills opportunities exist within Diploma units.
Functional Skills in Diplomas: Creative and Media
This booklet has been produced for teachers of Principal Learning in the Diploma in Creative and Media, at any level. It provides a summary of approaches to the delivery of functional skills within the Diploma, with activities at all three levels to show how naturally occurring functional skills opportunities exist within Diploma units.
Functional Skills in Diplomas: Engineering
This booklet has been produced for teachers of Principal Learning in the Diploma in Engineering, at any level. It provides a summary of approaches to the delivery of functional skills within the Diploma, with activities at all three levels to show how naturally occurring functional skills opportunities exist within Diploma units.
Functional Skills in Diplomas: Environmental and Land-based Studies
This booklet has been produced for teachers of Principal Learning in the Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies, at any level. It provides a summary of approaches to the delivery of functional skills within the Diploma, with activities at all three levels to show how naturally occurring functional skills opportunities exist within Diploma units.
Functional Skills in Diplomas: Hospitality
This booklet has been produced for teachers of Principal Learning in the Diploma in Hospitality, at any level. It provides a summary of approaches to the delivery of functional skills within the Diploma, with activities at all three levels to show how naturally occurring functional skills opportunities exist within Diploma units.