NCFE Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in English
- Ref:
- 603/5058/1
- Sector:
- Preparation for Life and Work
- Registration and Certification Fee
- £16.00
- Level
- Level 1
- Minimum entry age
- Pre-16
- GLH
- 55
- TQT
- 66
About this qualification:
The purpose of the Functional Skills English Level 1 qualification is to prepare the learner for work, study and life. Learners who achieve this qualification will demonstrate the ability to read, write, speak, listen and communicate in English. Learners will be able to apply these skills effectively to a range of purposes in the workplace and in real life situations.
Who is it suitable for?
This qualification is suitable for learners studying the following:
• Apprenticeships
• Traineeships
• Alternative to GCSE
• T-Levels
• As a standalone qualification
Entry requirements:
There are no pre-entry requirements for this qualification and no minimum age requirement has been set for registration.
Qualification structure:
This qualification is assessed via 2 external assessments and one controlled assessment.
The external assessments cover the following components:
• Reading
• Writing
The controlled assessment covers the following component:
• Speaking, Listening and Communicating
Online assessments:
Online assessment is available for this qualification, and live online assessments are now bookable. Please visit our Online Assessment page for further information.
Sample assessments can now be scheduled on our Surpass platform.
Remote invigilation:
Learners are now able to complete online/onscreen external assessments at home using our remote invigilation solution. Also referred to as remote proctoring, remote invigilation allows a learner to be observed via audio and visual links when completing their online/onscreen external assessment at home.
NCFE offers a remote invigilation solution for all our Level 1 & 2 Functional Skills external assessments. Find out how to get approval here.
Useful links:
Regulations for the Conduct of External and Controlled Assessments
Qualification Specific Instructions for Delivery (QSID)
Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy
Direct Claim Status (DCS)
Contextualised Assessment Request Form
CPD Training and Events
Diagnostic and Assessment Tools
Department for Education Subject Content for English
Qualification Specification
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains everything you need to know about this qualification and should be used by everyone involved in its planning, delivery and assessment.
Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills English Qualification Factsheet
LessMore info DownloadThis document provides an overview of our Functional Skills English offering at Level 1 and Level 2.
Functional Skills Mapping Document - Level 1 English
LessMore info DownloadThis document maps the Department for Education's subject content for reformed Functional Skills qualifications to the legacy Functional Skills subject content.
Functional Skills Writing Guide - Adapting NCFE Devised Internal Assessment Activities
LessMore info DownloadThis document will help centres to devise or contextualise assessment tasks, where permitted.
Functional Skills Invigilation Changes
LessMore info DownloadThis document outlines some of the changes and FAQs around Functional Skills invigilation.
Support Handbook
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains supporting information that relates to NCFE and CACHE qualifications to assist in planning, delivery and assessment, and must be used alongside the Qualification Specification.
Functional Skills Pass Boundaries
LessMore info DownloadThis document provides the Pass boundaries for Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2 external assessments.
Assessment Topics
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Sample Activity (SLC) - Level 1 Functional Skills English
LessMore info DownloadThis is a sample assessment material for this new Functional Skills qualification.
Sample Assessment Grid (SLC) - Level 1 Functional Skills English
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Past Paper Controlled Assessment SLC L1 English Set 1 2019/2020
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Past Paper Controlled Assessment SLC L1 English Set 2 2019/2020
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Learner Observation and Achievement Record (SLC) - Level 1 Functional Skills English
LessMore info DownloadThis Learner Observation and Achievement Record (SLC) must be completed for each learner and made available for internal and external quality assurance purposes.
Learner Observation and Achievement Record (SLC) - Exemplar Response - Level 1 Functional Skills English
LessMore info DownloadThis exemplar response has been devised to help centres with the Learner Observation and Achievement Record (SLC), which must be completed for each learner and made available for internal and external quality assurance purposes.
Assessment Activity Template - Level 1 SLC
LessMore info DownloadThis is an activity template for centres to contextualise a controlled assessment.
Assessment Tracking Document
LessMore info DownloadThis tracking document must be completed by the Centre's designated person for each controlled assessment event within the Centre.
Assessor Instructions and Guidance - Speaking, Listening and Communicating
LessMore info DownloadThis document is designed to assist centres in the delivery and assessment of the Speaking, Listening and Communicating controlled assessment of the reformed NCFE Functional Skills English qualifications.
Assessor Standardisation Instructions - English SLC
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains links to resources required for Assessor standardisation in the Speaking, Listening and Communicating component.
Chief Examiner Report (Reading) (On-screen) - October 2019
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the October 2019 on-screen external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Writing) (On-screen) - October 2019
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the October 2019 on-screen external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Reading) - 14-18 October 2019
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the 14-18 October 2019 paper-based external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Writing) - 14-18 October 2019
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the 14-18 October 2019 paper-based external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Reading) - 9-13 December 2019
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the 9-13 December 2019 paper-based external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Writing) - 9-13 December 2019
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the 9-13 December 2019 paper-based external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Reading) - 24-28 February 2020
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the 24-28 February 2020 paper-based external assessment paper
Chief Examiner Report (Writing) - 24-28 February 2020
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the 24-28 February 2020 paper-based external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report (Reading and Writing) - August 2020
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the August 2020 external assessment.
Chief Examiner Report (Reading) March 2022
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the March 2022 paper-based external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Reading) (On-screen) March 2022
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the March 2022 on-screen external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Writing) April 2022
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the April 2022 paper-based external assessment paper.
Chief Examiner Report (Writing) (On-screen) April 2022
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains feedback from the Chief Examiner for the April 2022 on-screen external assessment paper.
Past Paper (Dec 19) L1 Functional Skills English Reading - P001234
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Past Paper (Dec 19) L1 Functional Skills English Writing - P001239
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Past Paper (Oct 19 Onscreen) L1 Functional Skills English Reading - P001271
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Past Paper (Oct 19 Onscreen) L1 Functional Skills English Reading - P001272
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Past Paper (Oct 19 Onscreen) L1 Functional Skills English Writing - P001275
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Past Paper (Oct 19 Onscreen) L1 Functional Skills English Writing - P001276
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Past Paper (Oct 19) L1 Functional Skills English Reading - P001233
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Past Paper (Oct 19) L1 Functional Skills English Writing - P001238
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SAM L1 Functional Skills English Reading
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SAM L1 Functional Skills English Writing
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To view additional support materials you will need your Portal login details. If you don’t have a login for Portal please contact your Portal administrator within your centre. To see more additional materials please Login
Qualification specification (Word)
LessMore info DownloadThis document contains everything you need to know about this qualification in MS Word format and should be used by everyone involved in its planning, delivery and assessment.
Mandatory units
- Speaking, Listening and Communicating
- Reading
- Writing
NCFE Level 1 Functional Skills English Resources
Price (Inc VAT): £120.00
NCFE Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in English - Scheme of Work
Price (Inc VAT): Free
NCFE Level 1 Functional Skills English Writing Learner Workbook and Answers
Price (Inc VAT): £120.00
NCFE Level 1 Functional Skills English Reading Learner Workbook
Price (Inc VAT): £120.00
NCFE Functional Skills English Glossary
Price (Inc VAT): Free
NCFE Level 1 Functional Skills English Learner Checklists
Price (Inc VAT): Free
Print materials available on our dedicated Print Shop website
Price (Inc VAT): Refer to External Link
Where assessments take place in an online on-demand format, they will continue to be available in this format. Assessments will go ahead in 2021/22, therefore moving away from results being based on Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) used in 2020 to 2021.
We have now launched our remote invigilation solution and more information can be found on our website. We have also launched our on-demand paper-based offer. For more information, please go to the Functional Skills page of our website.
Students are required to complete the controlled assessment for Speaking, Listening and Communication. Assessments will go ahead in 2021/22, therefore moving away from results being based on Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) used in 2020 to 2021.
For further information please see the 2021/22 adaptation addendum document below.
2021-22 AT FSQ ENGLISH L1_2 V1.0
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