Functional. Skills

[UndertheCedartree]

Has anyone's DC done Functional Skills as a stepping stone to GCSEs?

Functional skills are very different to GCSE in focus. They are about practical skills. So not sure they fit in as a stepping stone. It also seems to be getting increasingly difficult to find places to sit them that take under 19s.
If you are on Facebook the Home Education UK Exams and Alternatives group is far busier than here and I think a couple of people are doing what you are suggesting.

Thank you @itsstillgood - we had the Advisory Teacher from the council over and she suggested it as a sort of practice exam before GCSEs. I'll have a look at the group, thank you.

There could be advantages if you are thinking of testing the waters when it comes to trying out the exam room experience of you have an anxious child. FS can be sat any time (that centre will accommodate) so less people/stress.
In terms of maths progression I personally don't think it helps.
That group is very helpful for navigating the GCSE/IGCSE minefield.

What level? If dc wants a pre gcse/level 2 qualification it might be worthwhile but if capable of gcse that would be more widely accepted. FS is a different syllabus to gcse so not necessarily helpful in sequence.

Thanks @itsstillgood - something to think about.
@LIZS - thank you. He's very academic so definitely wants to do GCSEs. I did wonder about doing the ICT one as I don't think he'd do that at GCSE but it could be useful and would give him exam practice.

Not sure which ict one you are referring to. FS is literacy and numeracy. There are btec level 2 in other subjects which are gcse equivalent but include practical assessment.

There is a functional skills ICT but very few places offer it. If he is academic I would think FS are a waste of time. What we have done is start GCSEs with a subject that is a 'tester'. In other words it interests him, but it isn't one of the 'core' subjects or one tied to career plans. In other words a pass will be great but we are sitting it more for the experience of studying/revision/exam than the qualification.

I've just done the functional skills level 2 English course but I'm not doing the exam. I actually really enjoyed it, a bit back to basics on the spelling and grammar which I needed. Some of the tasks felt a bit old fashioned, but as what is acceptable at work moves quite fast now it always will. I could see it improving confidence if they worry about exams, not just content. However, I'm not sure the content would fit closely enough with GCSE work.

Fs is quite different to GCSE. Its offered at adult education for those that can't manage gcse and is more about practical application of skills (and a lot easier...)

Its so very different I cant see that it woul d help....

I deliver FS. They aren't easy in the slightest.

The pass mark is relatively low to be honest. The learners find them difficult; even more so lately as they have been reformed.

@itsstillgood - that sounds a good idea. I was thinking it would be a good idea to spread the GCSEs out.

Thanks for the advice, all. Sounds like we're better sticking with GCSEs.

Was this "Advisory Teacher" someone from the LA's elective home education team? They aren't generally as clued-up as the home ed community, so I'm glad you checked up on her advice!

Are you aware that you don't have to let them visit? Visits can sometimes lead to problems, and any "support" they claim to offer is usually not helpful. There are a few exceptions, so you could ask others in your area whether there is anything the LA can actually do for you.

@Saracen - yes, from the EHE team! She was an English teacher and very nice and enthusiastic about the books my DS was reading and talked to him about the British Library. She told me she'd been in the post for a year but yes, as is common I'm sure she's not all that clued up about home-ed. However, as my DS wants to pursue exams I think she'll be useful regarding the logistics.

Yes, I'm aware we don't have to accept visits. We were under the radar for many years (as my DS has never been to school), then recieved a letter from them offering visits which I declined. However in the last couple of years I have been mentally unwell and my DC are under a Child in need plan with Social Services so as part of that we need to accept visits for now. Fortunately they have been very supportive and not really interfered. This was the first time my DS had met the Advisory teacher, though and I'm not sure she was quite aware where he is academically.

Your best bet if your son wants to do exams is join the HE-Exams group and read the information there. I am more positive about LEAs than many as am Hampshire based so know there are ones that can be genuinely supportive. However if the advisors have always worked in schools they can be unaware of some of the issues around practical components or their knowledge of course/revision materials may be limited to those aimed at schools which often aren't suitable but there is a growing number of home educators providing services that they may not know about. Definitely seek support from other home educators as well.

@itsstillgood - thank you.