02 Mar 2021
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
The Gateway Qualifications Awards/Certificates in Mathematics have been designed as stepping stones for learners and to recognise and reward progress towards achieving an A*-C in GCSE Mathematics or the Level 1 or Level 2 Functional Skills Mathematics Qualification. These qualifications address the needs of learners with maths skills below Level 2 and provide the necessary flexibility and responsiveness required by adult learners.
The learning outcomes and assessment criteria reflect the national adult numeracy standards from Entry 1 to level 2. The qualifications in Mathematics are built from a number of small units at each level. Each unit covers a curriculum area or an aspect of a curriculum area and is a qualification in its own right and is also included in rules of combination for a certificate which covers all the curriculum areas. Each unit is underpinned by the national standards for adult numeracy (QCA 2005) and mapped to the Adult Numeracy Core Curriculum (DfES 2001, revised 2006-7 and updated 2009). The units have also been mapped to the Functional Skills standards and where appropriate to the GCSE grade descriptions for Mathematics
The Mathematics qualifications cover:
understand and use mathematical information
calculate and manipulate mathematical information
interpret results and communicate mathematical information
The design of the qualifications reflects the announcements by the Skills Funding Agency with regard to the development of Mathematics skills. They have been developed in collaboration with representatives of Further Education Colleges, Adult and Community Learning Providers, the voluntary sector and Offender Learning providers. The unit and qualification design provides maximum flexibility with the opportunity to certificate either a specific curriculum area according to an identified need, for example a particular aspect of number, or the opportunity to develop and certificate all three curriculum areas. Qualification Specifications and Assessment Guidance, including sample assessment activities and contexts, are available to Gateway Qualifications registered centres who are interested in running the qualifications.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete one unit, totalling 3 credits.
Units
Learners must complete one unit, totalling 3 credits.
Using Size, Shape and Space
What is the purpose of this qualification?
The qualification is intended for learners, including adults and young people, who need to develop their mathematical skills at this level in the specific area of size, shape and space, in order to progress in further study, work or life. The Award is particularly suitable for learners who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities but is equally appropriate for any learners who need only a ‘bite-sized’ amount of mathematical learning at this level, or for those with ‘spiky profiles’ who need a programme which allows them to combine different aspects of mathematics at different levels.
The unit is underpinned by the National Standards for Adult Numeracy (QCA 2005) and mapped to the Adult Numeracy Core Curriculum (DfES 2001, revised 2006-7 and updated 2009). The unit has also been mapped to the Functional Skills standards.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification covers size, shape and space in a way that is consistent with the National Standards for Adult Numeracy and is fully referenced to the Adult Numeracy Core Curriculum.
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite of mathematics qualifications which allows learners to progress through a framework of mathematics units and qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2.
Learners can progress from this Entry 1 Award:
• to an Entry 1 or 2 (or sometimes Entry 3) Functional Skills qualification in mathematics
• to other qualifications at Entry 2 and above, for example in preparation for employment or in a vocational area
• towards a GCSE in mathematics.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification is designed to help learners to begin to develop the mathematical skills associated with size, shape and space, that are needed in a wide range of job roles. Learners progressing directly into work are likely to be taking up supported employment opportunities.
What are the English and maths progression options?
Learners can progress from this Entry 1 Award:
• to an Entry 1 or 2 (or sometimes Entry 3) Functional Skills qualification in mathematics
• to other qualifications at Entry 2 and above, for example in preparation for employment or in a vocational area
• towards a GCSE in mathematics.
Progression & entry requirements
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. However, it is anticipated that the qualification will have been selected as suitable for the individual learner on the basis of findings from initial and/or diagnostic assessment. It is available to learners of any age.Funding information
Learning Aims Search
The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
From 1st July 2021, the Hub will be replaced by a new Find a learning aim (FALA) service. This service is currently in BETA so if you experience any issues with finding funding details, please double check on the Hub above, or contact your account manager.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
How to find a learning aim
If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:
How to Use: Find a learning Aim
Additional funding information for English and Maths
For Adults
The Adult Education Budget states that they will fully fund :
- English and maths, up to and including level 2, for individuals aged 19 and over, who have not previously attained a GCSE grade A* – C or grade 4, or higher, and/or
- first full qualification at level 2 for individuals aged 19 to 23, and/or
- first full qualification at level 3 for individuals aged 19 to 23
The following qualifications are eligible as they are included in the English and maths legal entitlement offer:
- Certificate in English (Entry 1)
- Certificate in English (Entry 2)
- Certificate in English (Entry 3)
- Certificate in Maths (Entry 1)
- Certificate in Maths (Entry 2)
- Certificate in Maths (Entry 3)
Local flexibilities
Other qualifications within the suite may be eligible for funding through local flexibilities.
For Young People
- This qualification appears on the section 96 approved qualification list for delivery to young people aged less than 19 years old.
Students must study maths and/or English as part of their study programme. To meet the condition of funding, a student has to study an approved qualification. These are GCSEs and certain other qualifications, known as ‘stepping stone’ qualifications. Please refer to the 16-19 maths and English condition of funding for further information.
The following qualifications meet the 16-19 maths and English condition of funding:
- Certificate in English (Entry 1)
- Certificate in English (Entry 2)
- Certificate in English (Entry 3)
- Certificate in Maths (Entry 1)
- Certificate in Maths (Entry 2)
- Certificate in Maths (Entry 3)
As qualifications on sections 96, the Awards can be used to support the achievement of stepping stones qualifications.
Exemptions to the condition of funding
The 16-19 maths and English condition of funding states that there are two exemptions to the condition of funding:
- Students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who are assessed as not able to study either GCSE or stepping stone qualification
- Students with overseas qualifications that are established as equivalent to GCSE grade 4 or grade C
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.
Learner Assessment Tracking – Mathematics
Qualification Assessment Guidance Mathematics
Boosting Literacy and Numeracy Levels – a bite-sized approach
Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate in Mathematics (Entry 1)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award in Mathematics – Using and Communicating Data (Entry 1)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award in Mathematics – Using Whole Numbers (Entry 1)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award in Mathematics – Using Size, Shape and Measure (Entry 2)