Functional Skills
What are Functional Skills?
Each apprenticeship standard requires you to hold a certificate in Maths and English at least at Level 2. If you do not have copies of your certificates, or if they are not held on the Learner Record Service, you will need to undertake the Functional Skills course. This course is not part of your off-the-job training and runs for 12 weeks.

How are Functional Skills delivered?
Sessions are 1½ hours long and are delivered weekly via Zoom/Teams with a specialist tutor. You will be set work each week, and once all the sessions are complete, you will sit a mock exam. If you pass, you will be entered for the final exam and the details will be discussed with you on an individual basis.
If you need further practice, you will work on a focused revision plan with your tutor until you feel ready to sit the exam. You will not be able to enter Gateway until you have passed your Functional Skills.
You will be given access to a dedicated tool, BKSB, to support your learning with user-friendly assessments and resources.
Useful Resources: Maths
In addition to the resources provided in BKSB or Skills Forward, we recommend exploring CorbettMaths as well. It’s completely free and a great way to build and test your skills. Although it’s aimed at GCSE level, the skills covered are the same. The worksheets are linked to high-quality videos and once you’ve worked through them, you can click on the answers to see how you did.
https://corbettmaths.com/contents/
There is also this website, which is mostly free to access and is worth exploring:
https://passfunctionalskills.co.uk/functional-skills-maths-level-2/
Finally, the BBC has recently created a Bitesize revision site for Functional Skills, which might also be worth exploring:
Useful Resources: English
You may find the following websites useful for revision:
- https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/resources/cgp-s-free-online-10-minute-tests/free-functional-skills-english-online-10-minute-te
- https://communitylearningwest.net/english-functional-skills/
- https://www.youtube.com/@passfunctionalskills6505
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zmqj2nb
The CGP textbooks are another good resource:
https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/functional-skills/english/e2sra3-functional-skills-english-level-2
Get the most out of any reading activity by following Functional Skills coach, Sarah Taylor Cross’ hints and tips to reading success.
1. Think about the purpose of the reading task
2. Think about the most appropriate strategy for the reading task
3. To get the most out of the reading activity by becoming a more active reader
Guide for Reading Purpose
Video focus – Researching, revealing and revising new and/or specific knowledge information.
Guide for Reading Approach/Strategy
Video focus – Detailed reading, scan reading, skim reading.
Guide for Becoming an Active Reader
Video focus – Being involved, optimising reading outcomes- timing, taking and making notes.