The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has today published guidance that confirms new funding requirements for English and maths.
Its post-16 funding regulations for next academic year cover rates and formula, individualised learner records funding returns and sub-contracting control regulations.
Also covered is the EFA’s new requirement for English and maths. The guidance says: “Students who do not hold an A* to C [at GCSE] in these subjects are expected to continue to study towards them as a part of their 16 to 19 study programme.
“To support this aim the teaching of English and maths qualifications are a condition of funding for students undertaking new study programmes with effect from August 1, 2014.”
It lists as qualifications that would apply as GCSE, or i-GCSE — including lelvel one/level two certificates — that count towards the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) measure in Key Stage four performance tables; entry level, level one or level two functional skills; foundation, intermediate or advanced free-standing maths qualifications (in relation to maths only); and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) qualifications (in relation to English only).
What it doesn’t tell you is that you can still fund other English and maths qualifications that sit outside this ‘list’ as long as they are approved for 16-18 delivery on Section 96 and help progress that candidate towards GCSE. Ultimately, you still have to ensure all your candidates are enrolled on a GCSE course even if you are 100% certain they aren’t ready… which in my opinion is a complete waste of everyone’s time. Why can’t colleges just focus on the appropriate level for the individual learner? Isn’t funding supposed to be ‘learner-led’ and not ‘qualification-led’?
Dear FE Lecturer. Where does it state that other qualifications will be funded? The condition of funding is an on/off flag saying if a qualification is not on the list no funding will be awarded; it does not say anything about section 96. It would be great if it is this way but we need to know where this is actually written