NCFE Functional Skills

Their success, 

is your success, 

is our success. 

NCFE 

Functional Skills 

Online • On Demand • Frequent Marking Windows

2 NCFE Functional Skills 

What are Functional Skills 

Functional Skills qualifications are designed to provide learners with the chance to gain useful, transferable 

skills in English, Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to help them function 

confidently, effectively and independently in their work and life in general. They’ve been developed in 

response to the employability needs set out in the Government’s 14 -19 Education and Skills White Paper. 

“Learners need opportunities 

to use their skills for real 

purposes and achieve 

success as a result of using 

their skills effectively.” 

Their success, is your success, is our success.

NCFE Functional Skills 

3 

How do Functional Skills fit within 

the curriculum 

Functional Skills can be delivered as stand-alone qualifications as well as being an integral part of: 

Apprenticeships 

GCSEs 

Diplomas 

Foundation Learning 

Strong English, Mathematics and ICT skills are essential in almost every workplace so Functional Skills 

qualifications are the ideal way to build learners’ work-related skills. They can be delivered alongside NCFE’s 

package of employability related qualifications to prepare learners for the labour market. 

Who will benefit from NCFE 

Functional Skills 

Functional Skills qualifications are suitable for a wide range of individuals aged 14 and above, who’d like to 

develop their English, Mathematics and ICT skills. No prior qualifications are required and Functional Skills 

are offered at many levels, from the very basic to the more advanced. 

Functional Skills qualifications are particularly useful to: 

• learners: 

Young people and adults will develop important problem solving skills which make sure that they’re well 

prepared for employment, further learning and everyday life. 

• employers: 

This initiative will help to ensure that employees can apply vital functional skills in work situations which 

will improve effectiveness and productivity. 

• higher education: 

Competency in the key subjects of English, Mathematics and ICT will help students progress to further 

achievement, and will help them to study independently. 

Web: www.ncfe.org.uk Email: info@ncfe.org.uk Tel: 0191 239 8000


Why deliver NCFE Functional Skills 

qualifications 

How can we support you 

NCFE’s Functional Skills qualifications are online, on demand and supported by exceptional customer 

service – the NCFE way. 

We want to make your life easier, that’s why we’re easy to do business with, flexible and responsive. 

We also offer you: 

• flexible examination dates – completely on 

demand assessments for Level 1 and Level 

2 qualifications meaning learners can sit 

whenever they’re ready and you can pick the 

date and time that suits you 

• regular marking windows for the 2012-2013 

academic session 

• both paper based and online testing for the 

Level 1 and 2 qualifications 

• timely issue of results - a minimum of 15 working 

days and a maximum of 25 working days 

• one day certification turnaround 

• great value registration prices including 

certification 

• high-quality support including free access to 

our Functional Skills experts 

• a dedicated Centre Support Assistant and 

Business Development team contact 

• free sample assessment materials - both online 

and paper based 

• 2 free External Moderation visits per 

academic session 

• bespoke training 

• Qualification Support Packs (QSPs) 

• dedicated Functional Skills area online with 

resources, Faqs and Chief Examiner Reports 

• Free ForSkills access 

How much do we charge for Functional Skills 

For 2012-2013 the price is £15 (combined registration and certification fee 

per Functional Skill qualification). The fee for re-sits for Functional Skills 

qualifications is £7.50 per candidate per assessment. 



5 

Our Functional Skills Partners 

To bring you the best in Functional Skills support, we’ve teamed up with ForSkills and Nelson Thornes. Both 

offer a range of products and services to help you deliver Functional Skills: 

ABOUT FORSKILLS 

® 

ForSkills are a well established and dynamic e-learning 

business offering a complete range of diagnostic 

assessments for Functional Skills. The initial assessment 

and diagnostic tool offers truly interactive testing, from 

Entry Level to Level 2. 

By registering your Functional Skills candidates with NCFE, ForSkills can provide you with FREE access to 

both their online diagnostics and interactive learning resources. By using their initial assessment and 

diagnostic software you’ll be ensuring your candidates are learning Functional Skills at a level appropriate to 

them. Automatic signposting to the interactive learning resources will provide targeted teaching for each 

learner to address any skills gaps detected by the assessment process. 

You’ll also be provided with FREE access to the ForSkills eportfolio tracking system. Mapped against the 

Functional Skills qualification criteria, the eportfolio can perform real-time tracking and reporting of a 

learner’s progress, flag up a candidate’s work when it’s ready for review, run management reports, provide 

feedback on the progress a learner is making, and much, much more. 

The NCFE offer also provides you with access to the ForSkills powerful online management tool designed to 

store, update and manage a learner’s Individual Skills Plan (e-ISP). The e-ISP forms a key part of the learning 

experience and can be used to set targets, record learner reviews, track students’ performance and record 

evidence of achievement - helping to support every learner on their route to achieving their qualifications. 



Our Functional Skills Partners 

ABOUT nelson thornes 

We’ve also teamed up with Nelson Thornes, leading 

educational publisher and provider of Functional Skills 

resources. Their “Functional Skills Progress” series really 

focuses on moving students from one level to the next, 

helping them to gain confidence as they go. With over 200 

pages of content per level and carefully graded worksheets for built in differentiation, you have all the tools 

you need to co-teach different ability levels. 

All NCFE customers will automatically receive “Functional Skills Progress” within the ForSkills platform 

plus receive 1 /3 off all other Nelson Thornes Functional Skills Resources. For more information visit 

www.planetvocational.co.uk/functionalskills and claim your free Functional Skills Fact File, 

a great additional resource for you and your colleagues. 

Functional Skills resources - More information 

For more information on any of the above Functional Skills resources and how 

to obtain your discount, then please give us a call on 0191 239 8000. 



7 


We offer Functional Skills qualifications in: 

ENTRY LEVEL: 

NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in English at 

Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 

English at Entry Level 1 

Qualification Number: 600/1067/8 




Qualification Number: 600/1510/X 

NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in 

Mathematics at Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 

Mathematics at Entry Level 1 

Qualification Number: 600/0793/X 





NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in ICT at 

Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 

ICT at Entry Level 1 






Type: NQF Level: Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 GLH: 45 

Accreditation/Renewal Date: 31/08/2013 

LEVEL 1: 

NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in English 

at Level 1 



Mathematics at Level 1 


NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in ICT 

at Level 1 


Type: NQF Level: Level 1 GLH: 45 


LEVEL 2: 

NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in English 

at Level 2 



Mathematics at Level 2 


NCFE Functional Skills Qualification in ICT 

at Level 2 


Type: NQF Level: Level 2 GLH: 45 




How are Functional Skills assessed 

NCFE Functional Skills Qualifications in English at 

Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 

Candidates are required to undertake 3 summative, 

task-based controlled assessments at 

Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 covering each of the following 

components: 

• Reading 

• Writing 

• Speaking, Listening and Communication. 

NCFE sets the controls for these assessments 

and provides the assessment tasks (which can 

be contextualised where appropriate) and mark 

schemes which must be used to assess candidates. 

Candidates will receive an individual result for each 

of the components. Each component is weighted 

equally and candidates must achieve all 3 in order 

to receive their full certificate – partial certificates 

are not awarded. 

Evidence created during the summative, controlled 

assessment will be internally assessed and 

moderated, and externally moderated by NCFE. 

NCFE Functional Skills Qualifications in 

Information and Communication Technology 

(ICT) at Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 

Candidates are required to undertake one summative, 

task-based controlled assessment in ICT at Entry 

Level 1, 2 or 3 in order to achieve their qualification. 

NCFE sets the controls for these assessments 








Mathematics at Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 

Candidates are required to undertake one summative, 

task-based controlled assessment in Mathematics 

at Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 in order to achieve their 

qualification. NCFE sets the controls for assessment 







NCFE Functional Skills Qualifications in English at 

Levels 1 and 2 

Candidates are required to undertake 3 summative, 

task-based assessments at Level 1 or 2 to achieve 

the following components: 

• Reading – external assessment (1 hour) 

• Writing – external assessment (1 hour) 

• Speaking, Listening and Communication – 

summative, controlled assessment (1 hour). 




The external assessments are written and marked 

by NCFE. Candidates can take their external 

assessments paper-based or online. Candidates 

will receive an individual result for each of the 

components. Each component is weighted equally 

and candidates must achieve all 3 in order to 

receive their full certificate – partial certificates are 

not awarded. 


Information and Communication Technology 

(ICT) at Levels 1 and 2 

Candidates are required to undertake a summative 

externally set task-based assessment at Level 1 or 2. 

The Level 1 assessment has a duration of 2 hours, 

and the Level 2 assessment has a proposed duration 

of 2.5 hours. 

The external assessment is written and marked 


assessment paper-based or online. Certificates will 

be issued automatically for candidates who achieve 

the external assessment. 


Mathematics at Levels 1 and 2 

Candidates are required to undertake a submmative 

externally set task-based assessment at Level 1 or 2, 

which has a duration of 2 hours. 

The external assessment is written and marked 


assessment paper-based or online. Certificates will 

be issued automatically for candidates who achieve 

the external assessment. 



9 

Customer service - the NCFE way 

Our approach to customer service makes us different - easy to do business with, 

flexible and responsive. We’re different because we offer: 

Exceptional Customer Service 

• we’re passionate about delivering exceptional customer service 

• unlike other Awarding Organisations, you’ll be given a named point of contact and their direct phone 

line to assist with any queries you may have. 

Competitive and clear pricing structure 

• we’re committed to providing you with an easy to understand fees and pricing structure, with no 

hidden costs 

• not only are our registration fees low, but our commitment to customer service makes us incredibly 

good to work with. 

Clear, easy to read qualification information 

• NCFE Qualification Specifications are written in plain English and are available to download from our 

website, www.ncfe.org.uk/qualifications 

• we’ll provide you with an easy to use package of supporting materials 

• we don’t use pompous educational jargon! 

Knowledgeable and supportive 

External Moderators: 

• to maintain high standards, we ensure our External Moderators attend annual training and 

standardisation events each academic year 

• we’ll arrange for your External Moderator to visit you and sample your learners’ portfolios, provide 

support and answer any questions on moderation or controlled assessment 

• their aim is to help you, not to place barriers in your way 

• we also offer bespoke training to suit your needs. 



Getting started with NCFE couldn’t be easier 

Already run NCFE qualifications 

• Complete the ‘application to offer additional products’ form and send to your Centre 

Support Assistant. 

• You’ll be automatically approved to start running the qualifications you’ve requested. 

It’s as easy as that. 

Not already approved by NCFE 

Not a problem! 

• Complete the ‘application to become an approved centre’ form. 

• If you’re currently approved by another recognised Awarding Organisation we probably won’t even 

need to carry out an approval visit. 

• Once we process your application form you’re good to go. You can access both application forms at 

www.ncfe.org.uk/centre-information 

Even better... 

• When you’re approved for one Functional Skills qualification, you’re automatically approved for the 

rest of the suite. 

Bringing Functional Skills to life! 

“We’ve been using NCFE Functional Skills for our vocational 

learners studying Maths at Levels 1 and 2 for the last year. 

We wanted to use an awarding organisation that allowed us 

to give our learners the opportunity to sit the test when they 

were ready, without having to wait. NCFE provides a range of 

marking windows throughout the year so we don’t have to wait 

too long for results and we know exactly when we’ll get the results, allowing us time to plan 

this into our teaching. Another strong factor in selecting NCFE was the ability to speak to a 

nominated person who knows our centre whenever we have a query, which enables us to 

support our learners much more effectively.” 

Donna Wilmshurst, 

Head of Skills Development, 

South Downs College 



11 

Pssst… Did you know… 

As an NCFE approved centre with registered candidates for Functional Skills, 

you’ll get access to a whole world of Functional Skills support including 

exclusive deals on NCFE recommended resources: 

Get: 

• FREE access to ForSkills’ online diagnostic assessment tool and Nelson Thornes’ 

Functional Skills Progress 

• 1 /3 off ALL Nelson Thornes’ Functional Skills resources 

• Planet Vocational membership with FREE Functional Skills Fact File 

• FREE access to the ForSkills’ Functional Skills eportfolio system and Functional 

Skills resources. 

Pass it on! 

® 

An established and dynamic 

e-learning business delivering a 

complete range of diagnostic 

assessments for Functional 

Skills. Designed by 

educationalists to build skills 

and engage learners, this tool 

offers truly interactive testing, 

from Entry Level 1 to Level 2. 

For more information visit 

www.forskills.co.uk 

A leading educational publisher 

providing engaging resources to 

support teachers and motivate 

students. Working with expert 

authors, practitioners, awarding 

bodies and employers, Nelson 

Thornes produce high quality 

books and e-resources to help 

guide learners and tutors through 

vocational qualifications. 


www.nelsonthornes.com 

For the latest vocational news 

across Hair and Beauty, 

Construction and Engineering, 

Motor Vehicle Technology, 

Child Care, Health and Social 

Care, Teaching and Functional 

Skills. Including access to 

forums, networks, fact sheets, 

view points, and blogs from 

industry experts. 


www.planetvocational.co.uk/ 

functionalskills 


Their success, 

is your success, 

is our success. 

NCFE Apprenticeships 

Find out how we can help you deliver apprenticeships in… 

• Business, Administration and Law 

• Education and Training 

• Information and Communication Technology 

• Health, Public Services and Care 

• Leisure, Travel and Tourism 

• Retail and Commercial Enterprise 

Telephone: 0191 239 8000 * 

Email: apprenticeships@ncfe.org.uk 

www.ncfe.org.uk 

NCFE 

Citygate 

St James’ Boulevard 

Newcastle upon Tyne 

NE1 4JE 

T: 0191 239 8000 * 

F: 0191 239 8001 

E: info@ncfe.org.uk 

www.ncfe.org.uk 

NCFE is a registered charity (Registered Charity No. 1034808) and a company 

limited by guarantee (Company No. 2896700). 

All the material in this publication is copyright. 

© NCFE Issue 2, May 2011 

All information contained in this publication is correct at the time of printing. 

* To continue to improve our levels of customer service, telephone calls 

may be recorded for training and quality purposes.

NCFE Functional Skills

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