The Foundation Learning Tier Strategy Managers and Curriculum Managers group 24 th March 2009

What is the Foundation Learning Tier? All units and qualifications below level 2 for people from 14 upwards Reform of current offer: filling gaps, improving flexibility, sector involvement, assessment To meet the needs of all learners (FE sector, schools, WBL, offender settings, voluntary and community, adults) Address the whole system – unit qualification design / development, programme delivery, regulation and funding Implementation of a full set of provision within a credit-based framework by 2010 Content determined by end-users Delivery personalised to individuals

Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Painting the Picture Reform Programme Secondary Curriculum GCSE A level Ext Project Appships UK Vocational Qualification Reform Programme Foundation learning tier Functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT

What is the FLT at Key Stage 4? A component of the key stage 4 curriculum that supports year-olds working at entry level and/or level 1 Available to learners from the start of Key Stage 4, as other pathways eg. Diplomas, GCSEs Designed to support and complement the delivery of the national curriculum statutory programmes of study for the core subjects.

FLT Qualifications FLT in curriculum context PLTs Revised Secondary Curriculum KS4 Engagement Programme Functional skills

Progression pathways There are four progression pathways, one for year-olds, to support progression to a Foundation Diploma or GCSEs. A progression pathway is: a combination of courses leading to appropriate qualifications drawn from entry level and level 1 of the QCF - a framework for learning a set of parameters for designing personalised learning programmes to support individual progression a commitment to appropriate student support and delivery. A progression pathway is not a qualification in itself. There is no certification associated with its completion, though there is for component qualifications.

Progression opportunities facilitated by the four FLT Progression Pathways by providing learners with the minimum prerequisite skills needed to reach a specified destination

14-16 progression pathway Is designed to help providers offer a motivating experience for learners, appropriate for those with special educational needs and those at risk of disengaging Provides the skills base to allow progression to a Diploma, GCSEs or other appropriate destinations Minimum qualifications and credit requirements to complete the Progression Pathway: four credits of personal and social development learning (PSD) Functional Skills in English (5 credits) Functional Skills in Maths (5 credits) Functional Skills in ICT (5 credits) one QCF certificate-sized qualification at entry level - the focus may be vocational, particularly developing cross-cutting employability skills, or subject-based.

14-16 progression pathway Weighting and combination of components will depend on the learners: aims and aspirations prior achievement or attainment starting point learning capacity. Within the personal and social development strand, provision should develop attitudes and behaviour expected in the workplace Although some discrete FS teaching and learning might be needed, much of it will be embedded in the rest of the programme Where appropriate, qualifications (and units within qualifications) within this Progression Pathway will also be ASL within Foundation Diploma. All qualifications must be selected from the Progression Pathways qualifications catalogue.

ASDAN Entry Level 2 Award in PSD ASDAN Entry Level Certificate In Employability Entry 3 ASDAN Entry Level Award Functional Mathematics Entry VTCT Entry Level Award Functional ICT Entry WJEC Entry Level Award Functional English Entry 2 and 3 A learning framework facilitating the progression potential of the learner Progression Pathway Using example qualifications from the FLT Qualifications Catalogue: Example: for illustrative purposes only KS4 learner at E1,E2,E3 with progression potential

Now: Schools, special schools, PRUs, Offender Settings, colleges, training providers… begin to prepare for the introduction of the FLT and other reforms Programme evaluation and reports from test and trial implementation centres come in to inform direction Approx 190 post-16 centres 120 pre-16 centres Awarding organisations – ongoing development of Entry and Level 1 provision for the QCF Autumn 2009/10 All Key Stage 4 Engagement programmes expected to meet FLT Progression Pathway requirements as far as is realistic Aim for all LSC funded post-16 providers to have 30% of their Entry and Level 1 provision within the context of FLT Progression Pathways Summer 2010/11 Full implementation – possible delay of full pre-16 roll-out to 2011/12 Next Steps for the FLT: Progress and Implementation

Further information QIA Provider Excellence Gateway: QCA: or LSC: Progression Pathway Prospectus: NDAQ