Functional Skills at Ash Lea Special School

Sixteen students (16- to 19-year-olds) at Ash Lea Special School in Nottingham developed and practised Functional Skills at Entry 1, 2 or 3 as part of their Life Skills and PSD programmes of work. They had two discrete Functional Skills lessons a week to assist development and embedding in work, such as:

• Mini Enterprise/work experience/work related learning (Preparation for working life)
• Speak Up and youth parliament initiatives (Citizenship)
• Independent bus programme (Community)
• Personal shopping and independent cooking activities (Home management)

Feedback from staff:

“We were initially uncertain about delivering Functional Skills, but time has shown how easily it fits within programme.”

“The practical aspect to Functional Skills suits the learning styles of our students and makes their work seem more relevant.”

“The mapping of Functional Skills to the Entry Level Life Skills and PSD programme showed that Functional Skills would be met during approximately 85% of normal delivery.”