Learners Not Yet Ready for GCSE
A structured route that develops essential English and Maths skills at an appropriate level.
Functional Skills English & Maths
Personalised Functional Skills Tuition for English & Maths
Reconnect Learning provides personalised Functional Skills English and Maths tuition for learners who need a practical, achievable route towards qualifications, further education, training, employment or greater independence.
Support can be adapted for young people in alternative provision, learners with SEND or EHCP outcomes, post-16 learners, those returning to education and learners who are not yet ready for a GCSE pathway.
Practical Qualifications
Build skills. Build confidence. Open future pathways.
Levels
Entry Level to Level 2
Subjects
English & Maths
Planning
Assessment-Led Tuition
Outcomes
Progression Focused
More Than a Qualification
A practical route back into confidence and achievement
Some learners have experienced repeated difficulty with English or Maths and may believe formal qualifications are beyond their reach.
Others need an English or Maths qualification that is strongly connected to practical application, employment, college, training or everyday independence.
Functional Skills focuses on using literacy and numeracy in meaningful situations. Our approach combines careful assessment, targeted teaching, confidence-building and regular progress review.
Our Approach
A practical qualification pathway can rebuild confidence while developing the English and Maths skills learners need for their future.
Who Functional Skills May Support
A flexible pathway for learners with different starting points
Suitability should be based on the learner's current working level, previous learning, confidence, progression goals and the requirements of their intended next destination.
SEND & EHCP Learners
Adapted tuition that considers communication, processing, confidence and relevant outcomes.
Alternative Provision Learners
Qualification-focused learning that can sit within a wider personalised alternative provision package.
Learners Returning to Education
A practical pathway for young people rebuilding routine, confidence and readiness to learn.
Post-16 Learners
English and Maths tuition linked to college, training, apprenticeship and employment goals.
Learners Building Independence
Practical literacy and numeracy skills for communication, money, travel and everyday life.
Functional Skills Subjects
English and Maths from Entry Level to Level 2
Functional Skills English
English tuition focuses on practical reading, writing and communication skills that learners can use in education, employment and everyday life.
Reading and understanding information
Writing clearly for different purposes
Spelling, punctuation and grammar
Speaking, listening and communication
Practical everyday English
Assessment preparation
Functional Skills Maths
Maths tuition focuses on using number, measure, data and problem-solving skills confidently in practical situations.
Number and calculation
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Measures, shape and space
Handling information and data
Problem-solving and decision-making
Assessment preparation
Qualification Journey
A structured pathway from assessment to readiness
Each learner's pathway should reflect their starting point, confidence, previous learning and intended progression goal.
1
Initial Assessment
Identify current working level and learner confidence.
2
Diagnostic Review
Identify specific gaps, strengths and priority skills.
3
Learning Plan
Agree realistic targets and intended progression outcomes.
4
Targeted Tuition
Build knowledge, practical application and confidence.
5
Practice & Review
Use progress checks, practice and mock assessment.
6
Readiness Decision
Agree assessment or the next stage of learning.
Flexible Functional Skills Tuition
Support can be delivered in different ways
Delivery is agreed according to learner need, suitability, safeguarding, access and the wider education package.
1:1 Tuition
Individual tuition focused on specific gaps, confidence and learner pace.
Online Tuition
Live structured Functional Skills teaching where online learning is suitable.
Home & Outreach Tuition
Learning delivered in an agreed setting following appropriate planning and risk assessment.
Integrated Packages
Functional Skills combined with wider education, mentoring or reintegration support.
Assessment & Readiness
Readiness should be based on evidence — not simply time spent in tuition
Learners should not be considered ready for assessment solely because they have completed a set number of sessions. Readiness should reflect demonstrated knowledge, practical application, mock performance, confidence and the requirements of the relevant qualification route.
Initial assessment
Diagnostic assessment
Personalised targets
Regular progress checks
Practice questions
Mock assessment
Confidence review
Readiness recommendations
Progress updates for referrers
Progression
Functional Skills can support a range of positive next steps
The value of a particular qualification depends on the requirements of the learner's intended college, course, apprenticeship, employer or training provider.
Further Education
Support towards course requirements, continued study and future qualification pathways.
Apprenticeships & Training
English and Maths development linked to vocational and workplace pathways.
Employment
Practical communication, numeracy and problem-solving for the workplace.
Greater Independence
Everyday literacy and numeracy for money, forms, travel and decision-making.
Confidence in Learning
A positive learning experience that can rebuild belief in future achievement.
Further Qualifications
A foundation for continued English and Maths development where appropriate.
Qualification, registration and examination arrangements
Tuition, assessment preparation, qualification registration and examination entry are not automatically the same service. The awarding organisation, approved centre, assessment method, registration arrangements, examination venue and any additional costs should be confirmed for the individual learner.
Reconnect Learning should only state that learners are being entered for a named qualification where the appropriate approved-centre or partnership arrangements are formally in place.
Functional Skills FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What are Functional Skills?
Functional Skills are English and Maths qualifications focused on applying essential literacy and numeracy skills in practical contexts.
Which Functional Skills levels can be supported?
Support may be available from Entry Level through to Level 2 depending on learner need, tutor expertise and qualification arrangements.
Does a learner need an assessment before tuition starts?
Initial and diagnostic assessment helps identify the learner's current working level, specific gaps and an appropriate learning plan.
Can Functional Skills be delivered online?
Yes, where live online tuition is appropriate for the learner and suitable digital and safeguarding arrangements are in place.
Can you support learners with SEND or an EHCP?
Teaching can be adapted around identified SEND needs and relevant outcomes, subject to suitability and available information.
Does tuition automatically include exam entry?
No. Examination entry, registration, approved-centre arrangements and any associated costs should be confirmed separately.
How long does Functional Skills take?
Timescales vary according to starting point, learning gaps, attendance, confidence, independent study and assessment readiness.
Are Functional Skills accepted by colleges and employers?
Requirements vary. Learners and commissioners should check the specific entry requirements of the intended college, employer, apprenticeship or training provider.