Latest Resources & Links

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Capital Letters - Rules

When to use (or not use) capital letters
1. with pictures
2. black font text
3. blue font text

Editor's not 
Concise and exceedingly useful. The one page text-only versions would also make handy reminder sheets for higher levels. 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
English
FE E1.11 Punctuate simple sentences with capital letter & full stop
FE E1.12 Use capital letter for pronoun ‘I’ and proper nouns
FE E1.13 Use lower-case letters when there is no reason to use capital letters
FE E2.13 Use basic punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question, exclamation marks)
FE E3.13 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas)

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Ice Cream AQA Paper-2-style GCSE English Language exam practice

GCSE English Language Paper Two AQA exam-style texts and questions 1-4. 
Based on a contemporary source from Jay Rayner (2023) and a Victorian article (Henry Mayhew 1865).

Editor's notes
Another excellent GCSE Practice resource from Matthew with, as usual, a super choice of texts.

Level
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE Reading AO1a Identify/interpret explicit & implicit information & ideas
GCSE Reading AO1b Select & synthesise evidence from different texts
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Reading AO3 Compare writers’ ideas & perspectives across 2 or more texts
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Business & Money management

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E3 C&G Floristry Functional Maths walk through from Simon HTT

Simon from Here to Teach (HTT)  has many wonderful work-throughs of Edexcel and C&G Functional Maths papers (E3 , L1, L2). Well paced with very excellent audio and video, showing clear methods and working out c. Marvellous for learners to watch over and over as many times as needed. Both non-calculator and non-calculator papers are  covered. This paper has a floristry theme but provides practice and revision for any vocational area (or indeed no vocational area!).

I recommend subscribing to Simon's channel to keep up-to-date with all his maths videos.

Level
Entry Level 3
Maths
Functional Maths - underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
Functional Maths - handling information and data
Context
Gardening & Horticulture

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Oxford University Press - free FS worksheets to support ‘Maths the Basics’

An incredible collection of free worksheets from OUP. Designed to support the excellent book ‘Maths the Basics’ by June Haighton et al (see our separate entry about this book) but can be used independently. I haven’t looked at them all ( there are more than a 100 - plus answer sheets!) but they seem to cover Entry Level 3 to Level 2. 
In addition there are many other useful downloads including tips and hints for non-specialists on delivering Functional Skills maths, English and ICT and much more. 

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
Functional Maths - problem solving
Functional Maths - numbers and the number system
Functional Maths - measures, shape & space
Functional Maths - handling information and data

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Travel Adjectives

A Beginners / Entry 1 level set of activities to introduce and practise using adjectives within the theme of travel.

Practise vocabulary, antonyms, spelling, sentence structure and handwriting.

Editor's note

Although written for ESOL most parts of this resource are also very suitable for E1-2 Functional English. In addition to the many tasks it also provides a short overview of adjectives  and basic sentence structure . Great for the build up to summer holidays - or indeed any time of year!

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
English
FE E1.8 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 1
FE E1.9 Read simple sentences containing one clause
FE E1.15 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 1
FE 1.16 Communicate information in words, phrases & simple sentences
FE E2.7 Read correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FE E2.16 Spell correctly words designated for Entry Level 2
FS English E2.20 Use adjectives and simple linking words
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Rw/E2.2a Recognise a range of familiar words
ESOL Ws/E1.1a Construct a simple sentence, using basic word order & verb form
ESOL Ws/E2.2a Use adjectives
ESOL Ww/E2.1b Use knowledge of sound–symbol relationships & phonological patterns when spelling
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

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Pearson Edexcel exemplar L2 Eyewitness Report task

Eye witness accounts can now pop up in the L2 assessments and there is very little guidance or examples of this genre. This useful task comes with a sample written response (of a strong pass) and examiner feedback which really helps the learner (and their teachers!) understand what is required.

Download help

Upon following the link, select “Resources” not “Sample assessment material”. Then scroll down until you see the download file (which is a zip file).

Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
FE L2.23 Communicate information, ideas and opinions clearly, coherently and effectively
FE L2.24 Write text of appropriate level of detail & length to meet needs of purpose & audience
FE L2.26 Convey clear meaning & establish cohesion using organisational markers effectively
FE L2.28 Construct complex sentences consistently & accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate
FE Writing composition
Context
Health and safety

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Maths Mastery teaching resources for L1, L2 Functional Maths & GCSE resits

I’ve only briefly skimmed through but some of these new mastery resources for L1 & L2 Functional Maths (and GCSE resits) look amazing! Includes full 33 hour (22 x 1.5 hr lessons) schemes of work, lesson plans, handouts and slides. 
 

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
Maths
Functional Maths
GCSE Maths - Foundation (1-5)

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Language Feature spotting (Q10 L2 Edexcel)

How to answer the language features question on the Edexcel Pearson Level 2 Functional Skills reading paper.

Editor's notes

Clearly explains what is expected in order to Answer Q10 (most sections of the slideshow also work well with FS from other awarding organisations) and how it is marked. Followed by questions for the learner (answers provided at the end) 3.5 minute slideshow. No voice over.

Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes

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Comparing texts (Q13 L2 Edexcel paper)

How to answer Question 13 in the Edexcel Pearson Level 2 Functional Skills English reading exam.

Editor's notes

Really detailed and helpful advice on answering this tricky question that is worth 6 points!  5 minute slideshow. No voice over

 

Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.12 Compare information, ideas & opinions in different texts, inc. how they are conveyed
General
Exam tips and help

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Using Speech Marks in Expert Opinions

How to use speech marks specifically for the L2 Functional Skills (FS) English Writing Exams with Edexcel / Pearson. How and why to use expert opinions, and when to use commas.(FS) 

Editor's note

Level
Level 2
English
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks