10 Aug 2020
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 learning outcomes and assessment criteria reflect the national literacy standards from Entry 1 to Level 2. The qualifications in English are built from seven small units at each level. Each unit covers one aspect of a skill, is a qualification in its own right and is also included in rules of combination for a larger award for the relevant skill area and a certificate which covers all the skill areas.
Each unit is underpinned by the national standards for adult literacy (QCA 2005) and mapped to the Adult Literacy Core Curriculum (DfES 2001 and later revised 2006-7). The units have also been mapped to the Functional Skills standards and where appropriate to the GCSE grade descriptions for English.
The English qualifications cover:
Speaking, listening and responding
Reading for purpose, meaning and information
Writing to communicate
The design of the qualifications reflects the announcements by the Skills Funding Agency with regard to the development of English 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 skill area according to an identified need, for example a particular aspect of reading, a whole skill area e.g. reading, or the opportunity to develop and certificate a broader range of skills.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete one unit, totalling 3 credits.
Units
Learners must complete one unit, totalling 3 credits.
Read for Information
What is the purpose of this qualification?
The qualification is intended for learners who need to develop English reading skills for information at this level in order to progress in further study, work or life.
It is part of a suite of qualifications covering different English skills at different levels and is designed to allow flexibility as well as clear progression opportunities enabling learners to follow highly personalised programmes.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
In this qualification learners will learn to read and obtain information from different printed and online sources and to use reference materials to support understanding.
This qualification is based on the National Standards for Adult Literacy and is fully referenced to the Adult Literacy Core Curriculum.
The unit is underpinned by the National Standards for Adult Literacy (QCA 2005) and mapped to the Adult Literacy Core Curriculum (DfES 2001 and later revised 2006-7). The unit has also been mapped to the Functional Skills standards and where appropriate to the GCSE grade descriptions for English.
What are the English and maths progression options?
This qualification is part of a suite of English qualifications it allows learners to progress through a framework of English units and qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2.  
Learners can progress:
• towards a GCSE in English
• towards a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification in English
• to further study including to a Gateway Qualifications vocational qualification
• to an Apprenticeship programme.
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
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 – English
Qualification Assessment Guidance English
Boosting Literacy and Numeracy Levels – a bite-sized approach
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