Latest Resources & Links

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Artemis II Functional Skills Maths Challenge

A short topical resource inspired by the recent Artemis II mission. Questions build up from Entry Level 1 through to Level 2. Each page has questions based on a short text about the mission. Something for everyone: teachers can pick and choose pages to suit their learners' needs. Topics include: dates, clocks and calendars, odd nos., calculating with time, large numbers, compound measures, rounding and converting measures.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step
FM Complex multi-step problem(s)
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
Context
Science, Nature & Weather

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Lithium Batteries - Hidden Dangers

This resource is aimed at Entry Level ESOL and/ Functional English. It discusses the widespread use of lithium batteries, the dangers they pose and how to dispose of them safely.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FE E1.10 Understand a short piece of text on a simple subject
FE E2.8 Understand the main points in texts
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.10 Identify different purposes of straightforward texts
FE 1.16 Communicate information in words, phrases & simple sentences
FE E2.17 Communicate information using words & phrases appropriate to audience & purpose
FE E3.20 Use appropriate format & structure inc. appropriate use of headings & bullet points
FE E3.18 Communicate information, ideas & opinions clearly & in logical sequence e.g. chronologically, by task
FE E3.19 Write text of appropriate length & level of detail
Pre-entry
pre-Entry General
ESOL
ESOL Sd/E1.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Sd/E2.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Sd/E3.1a Take part in social interaction
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rt/E2.1a Use a range of strategies to trace & understand main events
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Wt/E2.1a Compose simple text, selecting appropriate format for the genre and purpose
ESOL Wt/E3.2a Structure main points in short paragraphs
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Health and safety
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

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CrackMaths!

A new site run by UK Maths teacher Iain. The Level 2 Functional Skills Maths content descriptors have been broken down into 70 free, detailed video tutorials with associated worksheets (practice questions followed by scenario questions) provided as large image files - not PDFs. There are also videos with past paper walk-throughs and times table tips, plus links to past papers from all the FS awarding bodies. Videos are short and snappy and great for self study, reinforcement and revision. Foundation GCSE is also covered (separately) 👍👍🏿👍🏽

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - handling information and data
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space

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GetWorksheets.com

Getworksheets.com is a free US community site founded by teacher Cris but now the combined effort of 23 teachers and 6 home schoolers. It's a massive collection with an impressive quality control system that you can read about here.

Worksheets cover all ages and skills from preschool to college. You'll need to sort through as some sheets include childlike images not suitable for the majority of Functional Skills (FS) learners. However, there are hundreds of gems to be found and all can be freely printed.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English reading
Functional Skills English - writing
Maths
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space

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Clare's Law and Domestic Violence Awareness

Part of the Living in the UK series.

This resource covers the difficult but very real issue of domestic abuse. The information is provided sensitively and includes information and questions about Clare's Law, and an invented but realistic situation. 

Discretion is advised but it is an important and often sidestepped safeguarding issue. Whilst there is a plethora of information, I found not all of it was suitable nor accessible enough for meeting the needs of my learners. 

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.1a Understand how meaning is built up in a variety texts of more than one paragraph
ESOL Rt/L1.1a Understand how meaning is built up in paragraphed texts
ESOL Rt/L2.1a Identify different ways meaning is built up in a range of texts of varying genres
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.3a Understand how main points and specific detail are presented and linked
ESOL Rt/L2.3a Identify the main points and specific detail in different types of text of varying lengths & detail
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Skimming, scanning & detailed reading
Context
Equality and safeguarding
Mental health, awareness & psychology

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Common Household Pests

A look at some of the most annoying pests that invade our homes. This article looks at fruit flies and gnats. With reading and SPaG questions, plus two differentiated writing tasks. Suggested range is higher E3 to L1.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
English
FE E3.9 Identify, understand & extract main points & ideas in/from texts
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE WRITING Use format, structure & language (to meet purpose & audience)
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.3a Identify the key organisational features of instructional texts
ESOL Rt/L1.4a Use organisational & structural features to locate information
ESOL Rt/L1.5a Use skimming, scanning and detailed reading in different ways for different purposes
ESOL Wt/E3.2a Structure main points in short paragraphs
ESOL Wt/L1.3a Structure texts sequentially and coherently according to genre
ESOL Wt/L1.4a Choose language suitable for genre, purpose and audience
ESOL Wt/L1.5a Select format and appropriate structure for different purposes and genres
Context
Gardening & Horticulture
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

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The Art of Persuasion

This is a large multi-page resource (12 pages, plus a shorter document with 2 sets of matching cards and a self-assessment checklist). Aimed at L1-L2 Functional English but also useful for GCSE. 

The main document includes:

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
FE WRITING Use format, structure & language (to meet purpose & audience)
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
Context
Recycling, the environment and sustainability
Science, Nature & Weather
Gardening & Horticulture

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Legal Age UK (2025-26)

Quite a large resource that looks at the legal age e.g. marriage, leaving school, voting, etc. in the UK. It is suitable for ESOL, FE and other English related courses.

Reading comprehension, discussion, writing and more with texts aimed at E1-L2.  Pick and choose those that suit your needs best. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FS Eng SL&C Discussion
FS Eng READING understanding and locating information
FS Eng WRITING composition
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
Context
News, Politics & Government items

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Jane Starts a New Life

A higher-level narrative that complements City Girl (see links under See Also). This text features Jane/Janiyah, rather than Emily, after she moves to the countryside. 

My suggested Functional Skills English level is L1-L2 (for ESOL - Higher L1-L2). Some questions may be tricky for the lower end of the scale. There are three sections: reading, SPaG and writing. I have included suggested marks for the first two sections but no answer key.

 

 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English reading
FS Eng WRITING Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
FS Eng WRITING composition
ESOL
ESOL: Reading text focus - comprehension (Rt)
ESOL Reading: sentence focus - grammar, punctuation (Rs)
ESOL: Writing - text focus (composition)
Context
Mental health, awareness & psychology

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Shopping in the UK

A multitask resource for ESOL E3 to lower L1. Includes reading, writing, role-play and questions. 

Editor's notes

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
Functional Skills English reading
Functional Skills English - writing
ESOL
ESOL Engage in discussion (Sd)
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols