Insight blog

  • Functional Skills Test Inspections

    Hello and welcome to the Pearson Functional Skills Blog for November 2024. This month we will be looking at the work carried out by the Pearson Functional Skills Test Inspection Team.

  • Functional Skills Pass Rates 2023/24

    Hello and welcome to Pearson’s Functional Skills blog for September 2024. As it is the end of the academic year, we will be looking at the pass rates for Functional Skills 2023/24. In addition, we will also be looking at the average marking times for our Functional Skills assessments. 

  • Supporting Functional Skills Maths at Gateshead Council Learning and Skills

    Hello and welcome to Pearson’s Functional Skills Blog for August 2024. This month we have a case study looking at maths delivery at Gateshead Council, Learning and Skills. This is another example of a case study that demonstrates the incredible support for teaching and learning that goes on in Functional Skills. I spoke with Sarah Richardson, the Essential Skills Manager at Gateshead Council, about the support they have put in place for Functional Skills maths and how it has helped give their learners incredible success.  

  • You Are The Assessor

    Hello and welcome to the Pearson Functional Skills blog for July 2024. This month we will be taking a look at the marking of Functional Skills assessments and Pearson’s new weekly LinkedIn content called 🔎 You Are The Assessor 🔍.  

  • Entry Level 3 Functional Skills in Apprenticeships

    Hello and welcome to Pearson’s Functional Skills Blog for June 2024. This month we will be taking a look at the decision to extend the apprenticeship English and maths flexibilities pilot. Under new rules, apprentices can work towards and pass a lower level of Functional Skills English and maths at Entry Level 3 without an EHCP as long as there is an identified need. Many of these learners might not have an EHCP in place and this chance provides more opportunities for these learners to access apprenticeships and to develop the necessary skills for their job roles.

  • Entry Level Functional Skills: Internal and standards verification

    Hello and welcome to the Pearson Functional Skills blog for May 2024. This month we will be taking a detailed look at the processes around internal verification and standards verification for Entry Level Functional Skills. In addition, we will also look at the most common Frequently Asked Questions too.

  • Using AI for Teaching and Learning

    Hello and welcome to the Functional Skills Blog for April 2024. This month we will be looking at AI and will have a case study on using AI in the Functional Skills maths classroom with Sheila Rai Assistant Principal at Capital City College Group. 

  • Pearson Functional Skills: Retired past paper usage

    Hello, Happy New Year and welcome to the Pearson Functional Skills blog for January 2024. This month we will be looking at the outcomes of Pearson’s research into the usage of our retired past papers for Functional Skills.