The Foundation Learning Tier

• Strategy Managers and Curriculum Managers group

24th 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

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Painting the Picture

3

14-19 Reform Programme

14-1616-19

SecondaryCurriculum

GCSEA level

Ext Project

App’ships

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

14-16 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 14-16 curriculum context

PLTs

Revised Secondary

Curriculum

KS4 Engagement Programme

Functional skills

Progression pathways

There are four progression pathways, one for 14-16 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 learner’s:

• 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

ASDANEntry Level Certificate

In Employability Entry 3

ASDANEntry Level Award

Functional Mathematics

Entry

VTCTEntry Level Award

Functional ICT Entry

WJEC Entry Level AwardFunctional English

Entry 2 and 3

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14 -16 Progression Pathway

Using example qualifications from the FLT Qualifications Catalogue:

Example: for ill

ustrative purposes only

KS4 learner at E1,E2,E3 with progression potential

Now:Schools, special schools, PRUs, Offender Settings, colleges, training providers…..14 -25 begin to prepare for the introduction of the FLT and other reformsProgramme 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 2009/10All Key Stage 4 Engagement programmes expected to meet FLT Progression Pathway requirements as far as is realisticAim 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 2010/11Full 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: www.excellence.qia.org.uk

•QCA: www.qca.org.uk/flt or email flt@qca.org.uk

•LSC: www.lsc.gov.uk

•Progression Pathway Prospectus:

http://qfr.lsc.gov.uk/flt/support/

•NDAQ

http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk