Functional Skills Qualification in English at Entry Level 1
Qualification title: Functional Skills Qualification in English at Entry Level 1
Qualification number: 500/9085/9
Qualification type: Functional Skills
Accreditation status: Accredited
Guided learning hours: 45
Eligibility for funding in England: Pre 16, 16 to 18, and 19 and over
Availability: England only
Exam and course fee: £250
About this qualification
The Functional Skills Qualification in English at Entry Level 1 is designed for learners who need to build the foundational English skills required for daily life, the workplace, and further education. The qualification focuses on developing real world abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
This course provides learners with practical skills that support independent living, employability, and progression into higher levels of learning. It supports flexible learning needs and accommodates various learning contexts, including education, employment training, and community-based delivery.
This qualification is accredited and externally moderated by OCR, ensuring it meets rigorous national standards while allowing centres to assess learners internally under controlled conditions.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is suitable for:
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School learners, including those on study programmes or T Level pathways
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Apprentices and trainees
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Adult learners returning to education or preparing for work
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Individuals seeking an alternative to traditional GCSEs
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Anyone aiming to progress to Entry Level 2 or Entry Level 3 English
There are no formal entry requirements, and no minimum age for registration. The course is suitable for learners from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds.
What are Functional Skills?
Functional Skills qualifications are designed to address national concerns over basic literacy and numeracy. They focus on equipping learners with essential skills in English, maths and ICT that are practical, transferable, and relevant to life and work. Functional Skills English qualifications range from Entry Level 1 to Level 2 and include reading, writing, and speaking and listening components.
These qualifications are widely used across education and training and are accepted by employers, apprenticeship providers, and further education institutions.
Qualification aims
The aims of the Functional Skills Qualification in English at Entry Level 1 are to:
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Provide accreditation of practical English skills used in everyday life
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Enable learners to apply reading, writing, and communication in a functional context
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Offer a flexible assessment structure suited to the needs of individual learners
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Provide progression routes to higher level qualifications and employment
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Build confidence in learners through real world, contextualised learning
Internal assessment and moderation
The qualification is designed around the principle that learners build evidence of their skills over time. Once learners have met all the required skill standards at Entry Level 1, evidence is submitted for external moderation by OCR. All assessments are set by OCR and conducted under controlled conditions. Assessment windows are open year-round to allow flexibility for learners and centres.
Teaching is expected to be based on real life situations. Practical examples and familiar contexts are encouraged to ensure learning is meaningful and relatable. Tutors should ensure that the full coverage and range required by the qualification are addressed during delivery.
Assessment breakdown
Speaking, Listening and Communication
This component includes one simple one-to-one discussion and one group discussion or exchange, both based on familiar topics. The assessment is conducted under controlled conditions. It is set by OCR, assessed internally by the centre and externally moderated by OCR.
Duration: 20 minutes
Reading
This component consists of two tasks, featuring a combination of open and closed response questions. The content is set in generic and realistic everyday contexts. The use of a dictionary or a spell and grammar check facility is permitted. Learners may word process their responses. The assessment is set by OCR, centre assessed, and externally moderated by OCR.
Duration: 50 minutes
Writing
This component includes two tasks that require learners to demonstrate writing skills in realistic contexts. The tasks feature both open and closed questions. Learners are allowed to use a dictionary and a spell and grammar check tool. Responses can be word processed. The assessment is set by OCR, assessed internally, and externally moderated by OCR.
Duration: 50 minutes
How to enrol
To enrol in the Functional Skills Qualification in English at Entry Level 1, or to discuss training for a group, contact Eastend Training today.
Phone: 020 7096 1188
WhatsApp: 07539 316742
Email: info@eastendtraining.co.uk
