DO NOT DELETE OR EDIT THIS ROW OR ITS CONTENTS
Maths (Functional Skills)
Functional Skills Maths develops the practical numeracy and problem-solving skills needed for everyday life, work and further study. You'll learn how to apply maths to real-life situations, developing confidence in topics such as number, measurement, data and interpreting information. Throughout the course, you'll strengthen your reasoning and mathematical skills, helping you progress to employment, apprenticeships or further study, including some Level 3 courses.
What will I study in Maths (Functional Skills)?
Questions given to the students should expose them to a wide variety of real-life problems, allowing them to recognise the maths in their lives around them.
Topics include Number, Shape & Measure and Data. ( Algebra is not studied for Functional Skills Qualifications; however, students will need to be able to use formula).
Learners at Functional Skills Level 1 will be expected to use more than one step in a process and link the ideas in straightforward questions.
Learners at Level 2 are expected to be able to use the wider knowledge and skills, and obtain solutions to a complex problems. A complex problem is one which requires a multistep process, typically requiring planning and working through at least two connected steps or processes.
Entry Requirements
Functional Skills Level 1 Maths is a one year course timetabled for students who have previously gained a Grade 1 or 2 in their GCSE Maths exam.
Functional Skills Level 1 is a one year course and is equivalent to a GCSE Grade 3.
It is to be completed ahead of the Functional Skills Level 2 course which will occur in the second year at college and meets Government standards for maths achievement. (FS2 is equivalent to Grade 4 GCSE).
How will I learn?
In class, you will benefit from small classes allowing you more time with staff to develop your mathematical skills as well as your ability to interpret and solve problems. There will be opportunities for you to develop your understanding, practise key skills in class and develop independent learning skills. You will have 2 lessons each week and will have opportunities to see your skills progressing at a rate which suits you.
You will need to be prepared to practise work without a calcaulator to improve mental maths skills, and use your claculator for more complex problems.
You will also be expected to complete a weekly homework. This is important to complete because it will support you in practising the skills you will need to keep alive through your maths education and will continue on the Functional Skills Level 2 Maths course. As a qualification approaches, homework sheets will be swapped for exam practise papers to give you experience of a wider variety of questions. These should be completed in your own time and handed back to your lecturer.
It is important that you return all homework to college to progress in the course. Maths requires practise and persistance and you are welcome to ask for help when you are stuck so that you begin to continuously improve your scores.
How will I be assessed?
There will be assessment windows through the year, so that you will have an opportunity to work at an appropriate pace for you. You will be able to sit for the Entry Level 3 Certificate and build towards the Functional Skills 1 Exam. Details for the Functional Skills paper 2 in the following year are also shown below.
These qualifications are measured as Pass or Fail so you won't receive a grade on a scale. You will have the opportunity to work towards sitting the Functional Skills Level 1 exam on completion of the Entry Level 3 Certificate. You will be placed onto the Preparing for Functional Skills 2 course once you have completed the FS1 course ahead of the following academic year.
All the exams consist of two parts:
Entry Level 3: non-calculator (25 minutes) and calculator (1 hour 15 minutes)
Functional Skills 1: non-calculator (25 minutes) and calculator (1 hour 30 minutes)
Functional Skills 2: non-calculator (25 minutes) and calculator (1 hour 30 minutes)
In class, there will be quizzes and occasional mini tests for you to see how you are doing which are used to help you grow in confidence so that you can see improvement in your skills.
Any trips?
No, there aren't trips in maths.
Are there any costs involved?
It is useful to have your own equipment for lessons. You should bring your own pens and pencils, some colour like a pencil crayon or highlighter, ruler, compass and protractor. You can find maths sets which keep the equipment together if you prefer this to a pencil case, and of course, having your own calculator gives you the certainty of being familiar with your calculator. You could either buy these at your local supermarket or in the reprographics office.
Device Requirements
Cirencester College is offering ‘Bring Your Own Device’ guidelines, in order to encourage digital literacy and make the most of how digital devices can support learning in the classroom and independent study. For the course ‘Functional Skills in Maths’, we find that learning maths skills is achieved effectively through use of a hand-held calculator and regular stationary, and that no additional devices are needed either in the classroom or for independent study. For more information about an appropriate calculator, please refer to the section ‘Are there any costs involved’.
Information about what device may be required for this course, where available, can be found on our Bring Your Own Device guidance page.FAQs
How long is the Functional Skills course?
The aim is to pass both the Entry Level 3 exam and Functional Skills Level 1 exam in your first year at College. If you achieve this goal, then in your second year at College you will progress onto Functional Skills Level 2, with the aim of passing that by the end of that academic year.
Why does the college want me to do Functional Skills Level 1 this year?
We will have received information from your previous school that your GCSE result is a Grade 1 or 2 so we are keen to work closely with you this year to help you improve your confidence in maths lessons. When students have completed the FS1 Maths course, they report feeling ready to study the Functional Skills Level 2 maths the following year.
Why does Cirencester College offer the Level 2 Functional Skills (FS2) course?
The college has assessed the curriculum and exam style questions for the FS2 exam and decided that students are more likely to succeed in the FS2 exams than the GCSE exams. This is not due to a lack of challenge; questions in the FS2 exams are still challenging. However, there are no algebra topics so the syllabus is smaller. Students are also well prepared for the style of Level 2 after having completed the Level 1 qualification in their first year at College. A Functional Skills Level 2 qualification enables students to access Level 3 apprenticeships once completed and it is equivalent to a Grade 4 GCSE.
On completion of FS2 - you will complete your maths education and meet the Government requirements for maths.
What happens once I have completed the Functional Skills 1 course?
Once you have gained a L1 qualifacation in Maths, we hope that you will feel prepared for working towards and passing your Level 2 Maths. If this is before the end of the academic year, you will be able to access Level 2 material to further support you in having a smooth introduction to the next level in the following academic year.
The skills that you will have studied over the Level 1 year will be needed for Level 2 Maths, and will offer you a foundation to continue to build on. You will be able to use these, along with the Problem Solving skills that you have picked up and learn to tackle more complex problems.
If you are returning to College in the following year, you will then study the Level 2 maths course.
How many lessons will I have each week?
You will have 2 x 90minute lessons for functional skills maths on your timetable. This may be less than some other subjects, and attendance at these lessons is important for you to make good progress.
You may also be timetabled for a weekly workshop to support your development.
Why do I have to study Maths?
Maths is a really important subject and the skills you learn at this level are designed to be useful in our daily lives. The Government makes the study of Maths mandatory until Level 2 is gained or completion of full time education occurs.
At college, you will be supported to this end and will need to ensure that you uphold good attendance, work hard and remain focused so that we can help achieve the qualification you need to progress.
Awarding Body
Pearson
What can I do after I have taken this course?
DO NOT DELETE OR EDIT THIS ROW OR ITS CONTENTS
