Last updated 16th September 2005
by Helen Nichols
Version 2 website
Launch 22nd October 2001

News - The Latest from QCA and DfES on Key Skills

New specifications, guidance, league tables and basic skills.
DFES have draft performance tables on their website - they are due any time to report on this. The draft tables include key skills for KS4 which is excellent news.

The Key Skills specifications are being replaced FROM SEPTEMBER 2004 with new Key Skills Standards. If you have already downloaded these from QCA's website please note that the Standards have changed again. The new guidance on key skills is due out in Summer 2004.

The Basic Skills Tests for Adult Literacy and Numeracy are identical tests to the Key Skills Levels 1 and 2 tests for Application of Number and Communication. In the past, only post 16 pupils could be entered for the Literacy and Numeracy but QCA HAVE NOW CONFIRMED that pre-16 students can take these qualifications. If you are offering key skills to your pupils and they pass the test but do not complete/pass the portfolio element you can change them over to the Literacy and/or Numeracy to gain a Basic Skills qualification. These qualifications are now on Section 96.

The Test Specifications
The full test specifications for the key skills are now available to download from the QCA website: http://www.qca.org.uk/nq/ks/guidance_specs.asp. These are updated test specifications, used to design the tests being developed now. They will also be available bilingually on the ACCAC website soon http://www.accac.org.uk.

Some key dates from Edexcel for 2003-4

The Key Skills Review

Just to remind you that the interim report of the key skills review was published on the QCA website in March of this year (http://www.qca.org.uk/pdf.asp?/nq/ks/key_skills_interim_03_2003.pdf|55+kb ). The final report will now be published on the QCA website in October 2003 (not September as previously planned).

The Example Portfolio Project

The AoN portfolios will be put onto the QCA website in the next few weeks. The Communication and IT portfolios will follow shortly thereafter(no date yet given by QCA).

Updated Proxy List 2003-2004

The updated proxy list has recently been circulated by QCA to awarding bodies for comment and will go up on the QCA website once finalised (no date yet given by QCA).

Key Skills Within Modern Apprenticeships

QCA is asking awarding bodies to consider new ways in which guidance may be updated to help Modern Apprenticeship centres achieve key skills based on more integrated development and assessment. There is no schedule as yet but watch this space.

IT Data Files 2003-2004

The data files for 2003-2004 will go up on the QCA website in October. Data files for use in the November tests are amongst those already on the QCA website.

Fallback from Key Skills to Adult Literacy & Numeracy (Level 1&2)

Candidates who have successfully completed the key skills level 1 or level 2 tests for Communication or Application of Number may wish to transfer achievement to either Adult Literacy or Adult Numeracy at levels 1 & 2. This option only applies to post-16 candidates.

Summary of the question and answer briefing session between LSC and QCA:

The Government is convinced of the need for all young people whether in education or training post-16 to be given a solid basis in the key skills of communication, application of number and IT.

The Secretary of State has asked QCA to work urgently to consider a greater range of proxy qualifications for key skills and to work with the awarding bodies to reduce the assessment burden.

From September 2001:
Modern Apprenticeships - all young people undertaking a modern apprenticeship must take at least Level 2 Communication and Application of Number or have GCSE equivalent.
Foundation Apprenticeships - recommended that all young people undertaking a foundation apprenticeship have Level 1 key skills in communication or application of number.
*Employers would therefore have an incentive to take pupils, if they already have key skill accreditation.

DfES:
Have given a draft for consultation to QCA, re the inclusion of key skills within the league tables. DfES is pushing for inclusion from September 02.

The Green Paper:
Key skills are to be embedded at Level 2 - pupils will be expected post-16 to have Level 2 key skills (or equivalent) and work towards one key skill at Level 3.

General:
-Testing opportunities to be available monthly from September 2002 - QCA have been asked to provide weekly opportunities, to meet employers needs
-The Addendum and the Guidance to be re-published as a single document in September 02.

Guidance on all the key skills units ( main and wider skills) is out and available from QCA and below. The addendum on the guidance is also available below.

QCA Guidance (PDF format)
The addendum to the key skills guidance September 2001 (PDF format)
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these PDF documents

The implications of addendum to the key skills guidance (WORD doc)

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS
Post 16 statement…
"In terms of the implications for institutions and students what I want to see is key skill programmes offered to all post 16 students. Where students have not already achieved A* - C grades in GCSE English, Maths or ICT their programmes should lead to the formal acquisition of relevant key skills qualifications at Level 2. Where students are starting on advanced levels with the aim of pursuing a professional or higher qualification post 19, then institutions should support them in gaining at least one relevant key skill qualification at Level 3"

KEY SKILLS UPDATE, AUTUMN 2001
POST 16
- Combined KS qualification no longer available from September 2001. Existing students to complete by 31 August 2004
- UCAS points for units NOT KS qualification
- Wider KS valued by employers and HEIs
- Schools should develop all 6 KS with individuals selecting those most appropriate to them
- KS remain an important feature of HEIs Entry Profiles and admissions tutors will increasingly expect to see a range of skills being reflected (UCAS)
- Emphasis on matching key skills to individual student needs
- Change in IT level 3 test downloaded datafiles to be used from November 2001
- No expectation to take skills Level 2 if student has A* - C in GCSE (English, Maths and ICT). NB Not an automatic proxy for Comm and AON

GENERAL
- New proxy list available on QCA website (www.qca.org.uk)
- Addendum on QCA's 'Guidance on the Key Skills Units' now available on QCA website and our website.
- Further advice from Ministers (December 2001)