Functional Skills Phase 1 Pilot - Student Voice

Student voice discussion

Carried out on 10th June 2008
Wendy Delf, Teaching and Learning consultant

Focus of discussion: – to enable the department to gain feedback from Yr9 students on Functional Skills exam

3 students from a range of abilities were interviewed.


Preparation for exam

Students had some understanding of FS standards.
They felt that their work in Yr7,8,9 enabled them feel prepared for the exam.
Yr9 work was very helpful in preparing them for the FS exam.
They felt that the FS exam was far easier than the SATs
They felt some teachers waited until Yr9 to focus on skills.
DLD were very useful.
Would like to work with M and ICT in future DLD

The exam

Writing exam
Too much time to complete exam
Felt confident about the task (letter writing)
Had seen the mark scheme in previous lessons so knew something about the assessment

Reading exam
Multiple choice ‘poorly worded’ – sometimes could be more than one answer.
Had seen the mark scheme so understood something about assessment.
Some of questions ambiguous (my word).
Discussed the future – electronic on screen test – they thought cheating might occur, typing would be an issue, no opportunity to plan, need for first draft writing

S&L
Done in lessons and as part of regular lessons not just for FS

Post exam evaluation

FS will be useful for GCSE work
‘Can see clearly how lessons relate to outside school life’
‘More useful than SATs’


Advice to students

Get involved in lessons
Build confidence to take part in lessons
Don’t get stressed out
Don’t worry
Listen really hard and speak lots!


Advice to staff

More project work liked My Dream Job
Don’t leave all the skills work until Yr9
Spread DLD over KS3 – join up with maths and ICT
Make sure tutors know what is happening
They felt their teachers had done a ‘really good job’

Final reflections

FS is preparing you for later life
The FS exam was easy, a way of assessing how we are able to use basic skills.
Areas I felt challenging: identifying and retrieving information and then translating into your own words. Using a variety of language skills. Developing writing styles.