Halesowen College

Functional Skills Maths – Level 1 & 2

Apply for this course

Course code

ADFSMAT1DY

ADFSMAT2DY

ADFSMAT1EV

ADFSMAT2EV

At application, select ‘Functional Skills – Mathematics Level 1 & 2’ and an adviser will contact you to discuss your options.

Why study this course?

LEVEL 1

Many adults looking to progress, academically or professionally, are now required to have a Level 2.

Maths skills are an essential part of everyday life, whether you want to help your child with homework, be better at managing your money or progress, academically or professionally.

The level 1 maths course is designed as a starting point for learners who are not yet ready to complete the Level 2 qualification. The content supports the Level 1 curriculum and successful completion enables progression onto the level 2 course. It is possibly to do both qualifications in one year as there are at least 2 examination points.

Functional Skills qualifications are widely recognised by employers and institutions as a suitable alternative to GCSE. Many employers were involved in designing the reformed Functional Skills specification, in order to address gaps in skills and knowledge needed for the workplace.

Please make sure that Functional Skills is appropriate for your chosen progression route before enrolling.

Why study this course?

LEVEL 2

Maths skills are an essential part of everyday life, whether you want to help your child with homework, be better at managing your money or progress, academically or professionally.

This course offers maths at Level 2 which is recognised as equivalent to Grade 4 (C) at GCSE, therefore meeting the minimum required standard for employability.

Functional Skills qualifications are widely recognised by employers and institutions as a suitable alternative to GCSE. Many employers were involved in designing the reformed Functional Skills specification in order to address gaps in skills and knowledge needed for the workplace.

Please make sure that Functional Skills is appropriate for your chosen progression route before enrolling.

Course content

LEVEL 1

The course will take place over 14 weeks and will cover all the content required to tackle the Pearson (Edexcel) Functional Skills level 1 assessment.

The course will be taught during a 2-and-a-half-hour lesson. This will take place at the same time each week. The sessions available are either during the day or the evening and you will be required to attend on site. This will take place at the Whittingham Road campus.

Regular assessments will take place to help you track your progress.

The course will be assessed via examination at two points in the year. January 2024 and June 2024. The assessment comprises of two papers – Section A is a non-calculator assessment; and Section B is a calculator-based assessment.

Examinations will take place at our Whittingham Road campus with both papers being sat in one sitting. Students who pass the January examination will then have the opportunity to progress onto the level 2 course for the remainder of the year.

It is assumed that students will need to carry out a minimum of 2 hours independent study each week.

In addition to taught lessons the tutors use Microsoft Teams pages to reinforce learning and create a teaching environment that supports your progress.

Course content

LEVEL 2

The course will take place over 14 weeks and will cover all the content required to tackle the Pearson (Edexcel) Functional Skills level 2 assessment.

Regular assessments will take place to help you track your progress.

Examinations will take place at our Whittingham Road campus with both papers being sat in one sitting. Students who do not pass in January will have the opportunity to resit in June.

It is assumed that students will need to carry out a minimum of 2 hours independent study each week.

In addition to taught lessons the tutors use Microsoft Teams pages to reinforce learning and create a teaching environment that supports your progress.

Entry requirements

LEVEL 1

There are no formal entry requirements.

Suitability for this course will be assessed via an initial skills assessment in college. This will take place ahead of the course start date. The assessment will identify strengths and areas needing support. We will inform you about whether this course is right for you.

The diagnostic test is taken prior to the start of the course and takes about 1 hour.

Entry requirements

LEVEL 2

There are no formal entry requirements. This course offers progression for learners who have previously completed Functional Skills maths at Level 1, but this is not compulsory.

Suitability for this course will be assessed via an initial skills assessment and it will identify strengths and areas needing support.

Dependent on this assessment it may be that decided the Level 2 course is not suitable, in which case an alternative course will be offered where possible.

The initial assessment is taken prior to the start of the course and takes about 1 hour.

Materials

You will need to bring a pen, pencil and paper/notebook to each lesson.

All other equipment will be provided but you may wish to purchase: