Functional skills are the practical skills in English, Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) and Mathematics that allow people to work
confidently, effectively and independently in their chosen career path
The course is an extension of G.C.S.E’s therefore teaching a breadth of
knowledge in each subject. Students will be provided with the skills needed to
develop on an individual basis. Students are encouraged to support each other
this; in turn, raises communications skills and overall ability levels. Upon
starting the course students under go a range of small tasks designed to assess
current ability levels. This is used to assess student’s strengths and
weaknesses and the syllabus is adjusted accordingly in order to meet individual
learning needs.
The curriculum includes:
English
Students are provided with the opportunity to raise their spoken and written
English. Underpinning knowledge is provided and students are encouraged to
extend there knowledge independently. Students are encouraged to improve:
spelling; grammar; punctuation; writing style and structure. Students are also
taught how to use academic books; reference books: dictionaries and phonebooks
amongst many other things as the course is tailored to meet individual learner
needs.
Mathematics
Many young people struggle in this field; so the majority of this course is
tailored to individual learner needs. Lessons are taught in a fun, practical and
effective fashion therefore breaking the old stigma that ‘maths is hard’. This
teaches students that maths can be enjoyable and that there are many practical
reasons for why we must have functional maths skills.
I.C.T
This teaches students how to function independently when accessing society’s
forever expanding technology. Students are taught how to use Microsoft Word,
Publisher, PowerPoint Presentation, Access, Excel and a range of web browsers.
They a taught how to locate the origin of websites and images, how to protect
themselves against viruses and other ways to maintain a healthy PC.