ÃÛÌÒapp

This is an unusual time for a blog, a period ofÌýpause,Ìýsimilar toÌýthe time between Christmas and New Year. The consultation onÌýalternative arrangements for the award ofÌýVTQsÌýand other general qualifications in 2021Ìýhas been releasedÌýand we are crafting our response and awaiting the outcome.ÌýÌý

Alternative arrangements for VTQs in 2021Ìý

The consultationÌýstatesÌýthe following for Functional Skills:ÌýIn summer 2020, many students and other learners received calculated results forÌýFSQsÌýwhilst others continued to take assessments as normal where this was possible, and we propose adopting a similar position this year.Ìý

We now justÌýhave toÌýwait for the outcome.ÌýIn the meantime, Functional Skills go on. ManyÌýcentresÌýare closedÌýtoÌýthe majority ofÌýlearners and though assessments are continuing, they are not on the typical scale.ÌýOur adaptations are there to support you and your learners. While we have our general adaptations on the webpage, we areÌýconstantly working withÌýcentresÌýto help assessments continue and have agreed other adaptations on aÌýbespokeÌýbasis.ÌýÌý

This has includedÌýa process to allow employer invigilated paper based onÌýdemand assessments and a process for remote invigilation forÌýICTÌýassessments. If you would like more information on these or if your learners need to access tests and our current adaptations do not cover your needs, please contact us and we can explore anyÌýviableÌýalternative solutions.ÌýWe continue to work withÌýOfqualÌýto ensure that the needs of ourÌýcustomers and theirÌýlearnersÌýare metÌýand do recommend that you take to time to look at, and respond to, the consultationÌýto ensure your voice is heard.Ìý

Gathering evidence toÌýinformÌýapproachÌý

It is important that our customers inform what we do, soÌýI have been gathering evidence to inform the approach ÃÛÌÒapp takes with the response to the consultation.ÌýThe first thing that is clear is thatÌýassessmentÌýis not continuing as normal and that for manyÌýcentresÌýthey have taken a decision not to test their learners.ÌýÌý

While online / remote teaching and learning isÌýcontinuing, manyÌýfeelÌýthat their learners could potentially go off the boil a little with their exam readiness, similarly, someÌýcentresÌýare concerned about the scale ofÌýassessmentÌýthat needs to take place and whether that isÌýfeasibleÌýin the current situation.ÌýObviously, there are stillÌýcentresÌýthat are continuing toÌýassessÌýtheir learnersÌýusing our adaptations. Apprentices still need their Functional Skills to access gateway and complete their qualificationsÌýand I can seeÌýa number ofÌýyou have made use of our adaptations to continue testing. However, I also appreciate that testing is not always possible so need to understand what you think suitable alternative arrangements might look like for Functional Skills to ensure those learners who cannot access a test can progress.ÌýÌý

Learning in LockdownÌý

In addition to this work, I have also started to record some more podcasts. The first set look at Learning in Lockdown and areÌýfocusedÌýon all aspects of post 16 education. They will be released on a weekly basisÌýover the next few weeks.ÌýTheyÌýare an important look at what is happening now in post 16 education. The firstÌýthreeÌýhave been recorded and coverÌýdiverse topics ranging from mental healthÌýin young adults in lockdownÌýtoÌýapproaches toÌýEnglish andÌýmathsÌýin anÌýFEÌýcollege.ÌýThere are also planned recordings on the importance of sport and exercise, the approaches taken by aÌýwork-basedÌýlearningÌýcentreÌýto support teaching and learning and a learner’s viewpoint on lockdown and education. The first recording, is with Jonathan Kay, the Head of Teaching, Learning and Assessment at Newcastle College, which is out now and available here: .

What comes across in all the recordings so far, is that we are still feeling our way in the current situation. Both Jonathan and Alex Lindsay (NorthÌýWarwickshireÌýandÌýSouthÌýLeicestershire College) talk about how their teams and learners are adapting and the key word is adapting as it is a continuing process. Interestingly,Ìýboth comment on the need for face-to-face contact to develop learner / tutorÌýrelationships.ÌýLiz Swanson (Choice Support) talks with me about the mental health challenges young adults are facing and we discussÌýhow they can be supported.ÌýThese are importantÌýconversationsÌýand they canÌýprovideÌýsupport and, hopefully, reassuranceÌýthat things are being done for the right reasons and that the learner is the focus of everything.Ìý

Chris Briggs, Sector Manager Post-16 English and MathsÌý