As good as a GCSE? Often better.
Yes, they’re real, nationally recognised qualifications. And for a lot of young people, we think they’re better than GCSEs.
They sit on the same national framework as GCSEs, at the same levels, and they open the same doors to college and apprenticeships. But they’re built for real life and sat when your young person is ready. Here’s what they are, why we rate them, and exactly how they compare.
What are Functional Skills qualifications?
Functional Skills are national qualifications in English and Maths (and Digital), regulated by Ofqual, the exams regulator for England. They’re designed to give people the practical English and Maths they need for life, study and work: working out costs and budgets, reading timetables and instructions, writing a clear email or letter, speaking up and being understood.
They’re used across England by colleges, apprenticeships and employers as proof of English and Maths. They run in small steps from Entry Level 1 up to Level 2, so every step a young person takes is recognised, and they’re assessed by exams sat when the learner is ready, not on one fixed date.
Building towards GCSE level, one step at a time
Most young people who come to us at 9 to 13 aren’t ready for GCSE-style exams yet, and they don’t need to be. We build the foundations GCSEs rely on, in small steps, and every step is recognised along the way. If going back into school or taking GCSEs later is the plan, they’ll arrive with secure basics and the confidence to use them.
Ages are a guide. Every young person moves at their own pace, and can start at whichever step fits.
Why we think they’re better for lots of young people
Where each qualification sits
Every regulated qualification in England has a level on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), run by Ofqual. It goes from Entry Levels 1 to 3, then Levels 1 to 8. GCSE grades 3 to 1 are Level 1, and grades 9 to 4 are Level 2. Here’s where everything young people can take with us fits.
| Qualification | Level on the national framework | Same level as |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Skills Maths Entry Level 3 | Entry Level 3 | The step before GCSE level |
| Functional Skills Maths Level 1 | Level 1 | GCSE grades 3 to 1 |
| Functional Skills Maths Level 2 | Level 2 | GCSE grades 9 to 4 |
| Functional Skills English Entry Level 3 (coming soon) | Entry Level 3 | The step before GCSE level |
| Functional Skills English Level 1 (coming soon) | Level 1 | GCSE grades 3 to 1 |
| Functional Skills English Level 2 (coming soon) | Level 2 | GCSE grades 9 to 4 |
| Business and Life Skills Entry Level 3 (coming soon, age 14+) | Entry Level 3 | The step before GCSE level |
| Business and Life Skills Level 1 (coming soon, age 14+) | Level 1 | GCSE grades 3 to 1 |
| Business and Life Skills Level 2 (coming soon, age 14+) | Level 2 | GCSE grades 9 to 4 |
| Arts Award Discover | Introductory award | A first step, not a qualification |
| Arts Award Explore | Entry Level 3 | The step before GCSE level |
| Arts Award Bronze | Level 1 | GCSE grades 3 to 1 |
| Arts Award Silver | Level 2 | GCSE grades 9 to 4 |
The key to their next step
A Level 2 in Maths or English is what most young people need for:
- college courses
- apprenticeships
- jobs that ask for Maths and English
When a GCSE might still be needed
Some sixth forms, A level courses, universities and professional training ask for GCSEs by name. If your young person has a particular course or career in mind, check its entry requirements, or ask us. We’ll be straight with you and help you plan for it.
Business, Life Skills, Art and SATs
Business and Life Skills
Coming soon. Functional Skills only cover English, Maths and Digital, so to give Business and Life Skills the same clear levels we’ll use Highfield’s Personal Development for Employability qualifications: regulated by Ofqual, at Entry Level 3, Level 1 and Level 2, for young people aged 14 and over. Highfield is the same awarding body as our Functional Skills. They cover the skills that come after the certificate, like money, travel, routines, CVs and interviews.
Arts Award: Art
Run by Trinity College London. Young people build a portfolio of their own creative work, discover artists, go to arts events and share their skills with others. It’s made for young people who learn by doing. We’re a registered Arts Award centre and teach from Discover to Silver. The top level, Gold, is Level 3 and carries UCAS points for university.
What about SATs?
SATs are tests at the end of Year 6 in state primary schools. They aren’t qualifications and there’s no certificate. Children who are home educated or learning outside school usually don’t sit them. For our younger learners we plan around what’s expected at Key Stage 2, so progress is easy to show and moving back into school stays an option.
Worth more than a GCSE they were never going to sit
For lots of young people, a qualification they can actually achieve, at their own pace, somewhere they feel safe, means more than a GCSE that was never on the cards. And where a GCSE really is needed, we’ll tell you.