Functional Skills service messages

No Functional Skills service messages for December 2025.

Functional Skills paper-based bookings over the festive period  

Ahead of the festive period, we wanted to let you know that Friday 12 December 2025 is the last date your learners can sit paper-based bookings before the break. Monday 12 January 2026 will be the first date your learners can sit paper-based bookings in the new year.  

Remember that you have the flexibility to deliver paper-based assessments anytime from when you receive the papers up until three working days after the scheduled assessment date.  

Returning papers: 

• Papers must be returned no later than 48 hours after the assessment has been completed.    

• Please don’t return assessment papers to us between Friday 19 December 2025 and Friday 2 January 2026.    

• If completed assessments or unused papers can’t be returned within the above timelines, please ensure they are securely stored in line with the Instructions for conducting Functional Skills assessments (English and Mathematics) until the new year.    

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Upcoming CPD events 

Sign up to our upcoming events to support your delivery of our Functional Skills qualifications. 

• Functional Foundations: empowering teachers new to Functional Skills maths, Wednesday 19 November, 10am-12pm 

• Functional Foundations: empowering teachers new to Functional Skills English, Wednesday 19 November, 1pm-3pm  

• Teach, Share, Transform: Focus on SEND, Wednesday 3 December, 3:30-5.00pm: this best practice network session is for delivery staff of Essential and Functional Skills Maths, English and Digital Skills qualifications. 

• CPD maths: standardisation of Entry Level maths, Wednesday 17 December, 3:30-5.00pm: this free CPD session is designed to support consistency and confidence in the assessment of Entry Level Functional Skills maths. Aimed at teachers, assessors, and quality assurance staff, the session will provide the opportunity to use the mark scheme to mark example learner work across all Entry Levels. 

• CPD English: Exploring the Level 1 English Assessment, Thursday 18 December, 3:30-5.00pm: this free CPD session is designed to support practitioners in understanding the structure and demands of Level 1 Functional Skills English assessments. You’ll explore the key external components of reading and writing, with a close look at typical question formats, assessment criteria, and common learner challenges. The session will offer practical strategies for building learners’ skills and confidence, as well as tips for effective preparation and formative assessment. Ideal for tutors and support staff, this session will enhance delivery and help improve learner outcomes in Functional Skills English. 

Useful links  

• English and maths Functional Skills delivery support page 

• Digital Functional Skills delivery support 

• Essential Digital Skills delivery support  

To request support in addition to our training and events, please email [email protected]   

Important changes to our Digital Functional Skills regulations 

We’ve aligned with the Joint Council of Qualifications’ (JCQ) instructions for conducting exams for our Functional Skills English and maths assessments. Access JCQ’s instructions. 

Digital Functional Skills qualifications are not covered by JCQ’s instructions document, so we’ve developed a separate set of regulations specifically for Digital Functional Skills, which you can access here: Regulations for the Conduct of Digital Functional Skills.  

We’ve aligned these regulations as closely as possible with JCQ’s instructions to maintain a consistent approach across all Functional Skills qualifications.  

If you have any questions or need further guidance, please contact our team via email at [email protected]   

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Upcoming CPD events 

Sign up to our upcoming events to support your delivery of our Functional Skills qualifications: 

• CPD maths: exploring the maths assessments for Level 1 and Level 2, Tuesday 21 October, 3:30pm-5pm 

• CPD English: Entry Level English standardisation, Wednesday 22 October, 3:30pm-5pm 

• Functional Foundations: empowering teachers new to Functional Skills maths, Wednesday 19 November, 10am-12pm 

• Functional Foundations: empowering teachers new to Functional Skills English, Wednesday 19 November, 1pm-3pm  

Useful links  

• English and maths Functional Skills delivery support page 

• Digital Functional Skills delivery support 

• Essential Digital Skills delivery support  

To request support in addition to our training and events, please email [email protected]   

Updated Functional Skills Assessment Tracking Document (ATD) – Version 1.4   

We’ve made updates to the Functional Skills Assessment Tracking Document (ATD). 

What’s new?   

• SLC tab: added columns for topic name and reasonable adjustments    

• Entry FSQ tab: added a column for reasonable adjustments. 

What you need to do: 

• use Version 1.4 for all future entries 

• download the updated ATD from the relevant qualification page under the Assessment Materials tab 

• if your centre uses a customised ATD, ensure both tabs are updated with the new columns.   

Reminder: The fully completed ATD must be sent to the EQA at least two weeks before any Functional Skills EQA review for English and maths.  

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Upcoming events 

Sign up for our Functional Skills assessor training  

This training is a great opportunity to virtually meet with assessment professionals and like-minded practitioners and learn about and/or expand your knowledge and understanding of assessment and our qualifications.  

Thursday 7 October, 9:30am-12:30pm, sign up now  

CPD maths: preparing for maths Functional Skills delivery  

Aimed at maths Functional Skills teachers, this free session will explore key curriculum requirements, effective teaching strategies, and practical resources to engage learners and promote achievement.  

Wednesday 24 September, 3:30-5.00pm, sign up now 

CPD English: preparing for English Functional Skills delivery  

This free CPD session is designed to support educators in confidently planning and delivering Functional Skills qualifications in English. Aimed at both new and experienced practitioners, the session will explore key curriculum requirements, effective teaching strategies, and practical resources to engage learners and promote achievement.  

Thursday 25 September, 3:30-5.00pm, sign up now 

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Useful links  

• English and maths Functional Skills delivery support page 

• Digital Functional Skills delivery support 

• Essential Digital Skills delivery support  

To request support in addition to our training and events, please email [email protected]   

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