Maths Basic Skills

No previous qualifications or outdated qualifications?

Not a problem.  Whether you didn't achieve the grades you were expecting at school, or it's been a while since you have been to school or studied, functional skills bridges the skills gap and sets you on your way to achieving your goals by increasing access to more opportunities.  Functional skills are also ideal for adults who don't hold a UK recognised qualification.

What level?

During your Initial Advice and Guidance interview, we look at your previous qualifications in English and assess your current level of capability.  This will tell us what level you are working at.  If your assessments show your level has dropped since your last exam, don't worry, we have ways to support your learning to get you back up to speed in no time. 

What is the highest level I can achieve?

The highest functional skills level you can achieve is a Level 2 ('C' or '4' GCSE grade equivalent).  Most employers, college and university courses will ask for a 'C' or equivalent as a minimum requirement.  Functional skills are recognised qualifications across most industry sectors and educational institutes including universities.  If your sector needs a higher level, functional skills are the stepping stones to higher level GCSE's.

What other levels of functional skills are there?

I'm Pre Entry level, what can I study?

At Seasiders Learning Centre, we pride ourselves on the ability to accommodate every level of learning and have classes suited to each level.  Our Pre Entry Maths classes are ideal for learners who need to gain the basics and our tutors are highly skilled at teaching at this level.  Pre Entry Maths will give you confidence to get started and take the fear out of working with numbers.

How do I fit learning around my busy schedule?

We understand how difficult it is to juggle work and home life, and still carve out enough time to do the things we want to achieve.

We offer different modes of attendance so that as many people as possible can access learning.

• Classroom-based learning - this is where you attend a regular face to face daytime class at Seasiders once a week for 2 hours.
• Evening classes (online) - this is where you attend a regular class online using Microsoft Teams, so internet access and a laptop at home are necessary.
• Blended distance learning - there are no set class times, so you can fit when you learn around your busy schedule.  Again internet access and a laptop are necessary.  All learning is online and you arrange contact with your tutor for one to one or group workshops.  See our Blended Learning page for more details.

Learning and Teaching Methods

The course is delivered over 18 weeks, where learners will take part in weekly sessions using a variety of different teaching methods and continuous assessment such as quizzes and problem solving tasks.

Classroom-based sessions are two hours a week (four hours on our fast-track sessions) and will have addition of homework or online learning each week for normally 1-2 hours.

Towards the end of the course, you may get a practice exam to complete to help prepare you for the final assessment.

What will I learn?

Depending on your individual level of study, the complexity of the content will increase as your level of learning increases.  The basic principles of mathematics are built on as your level increases.

The basis of functional skills maths is to give you the competency and confidence to apply the skills you learn at work, and in every day life.  From handling data at work, handling money at home, paying bills, budgeting, or measuring for home improvements, and even baking!

Functional Skills Maths topics include:

Using numbers and the number system - to read, write and compare positive and negative numbers by recognising and interpreting mathematical symbols such as add, subtract, multiply and divide.  You will explore fractions, decimals and percentages and work with simple ratio and direct proportions.

Using common measures, shape and space - to handle money, read digital and analogue clocks, measuring time and distance including size, length, width, height, weight and capacity of 2D and 3D shapes including angles when describing degrees of position and direction.

Handling information and data - to sort and classify data and objects using a range of tables, charts and diagrams.  You will calculate averages and probability of data related to outcomes.

I want to progress quickly, can I do this?

It's not uncommon for learners to approach us with urgency; for example, requiring a Level 2 by September enabling individuals to enrol on to other courses.  Your tutor can support your progress by offering suitable resources for learning, but a quick result will depend on the extra time and effort needed to achieve your goals. Our academic year ends at the end of July and starts again fully in September so we would strongly encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment.

Tuition Fees, Costs and Equipment

Provided you have not achieved a level higher than the one you want to apply for, Functional Skills maths courses are FREE.

Tuition fees would only apply to anybody not eligible for funding.  See our finance page for more information.

Extra costs from equipment are minimal with an expectation of pen, paper and folder.  You will be provided with a free text book and course resources.

Financial Support

Visit the finance page to see if are eligible for an additional bursary to help with learning costs.  You may even be eligible for a free bus pass, or help with childcare costs.

Learning Support

Learning support can be offered to learners who are eligible.  If you feel you may need additional learning support or want to find out if you may be eligible visit our student support page for more information.