Getting Ready for Functional Skills Maths – Level 1

This course offers a great opportunity to prepare you for a Maths qualification. You will become familiar with the qualification content, level and expectations. You will also improve your confidence in Maths with supportive tutors to guide you.

This course covers:
Number
Read, write, order and compare large numbers (up to one million),
Recognise and use positive and negative numbers
Multiply and divide whole numbers and decimals by 10, 100, 1000
Use multiplication facts and make connections with division facts
Use simple formulae expressed in words for one or two-step operations
Calculate the squares of one-digit and two-digit numbers
Follow the order of precedence of operators
Read, write, order and compare common fractions and mixed numbers
Find fractions of whole number quantities or measurements
Read, write, order and compare decimals up to three decimal places
Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals up to two decimal places
Approximate by rounding to a whole number or to one or two decimal places
Read, write, order and compare percentages in whole numbers
Calculate percentages of quantities, including simple percentage increases and decreases by 5% and multiples thereof
Estimate answers to calculations using fractions and decimals, recognise and calculate equivalences between common fractions, percentages and decimals, work with simple ratio and direct proportions
Measure Shape and Space:
Calculate simple interest in multiples of 5% on amounts of money
Calculate discounts in multiples of 5% on amounts of money
Convert between units of length, weight, capacity, money and time
Recognise and make use of simple scales on maps and drawings
Calculate the area and perimeter of simple shapes including those that are made up of a combination of rectangles
Calculate the volumes of cubes and cuboids, draw 2-D shapes and demonstrate an understanding of line symmetry and knowledge of the relative size of angles, interpret plans, elevations and nets of simple 3-D shapes, use angles when describing position and direction, and measure angles in degrees
Handling Data:
Represent discrete data in tables, diagrams and charts including pie charts, bar charts and line graphs, group discrete data and represent grouped data graphically, find the mean and range of a set of quantities
Understand probability on a scale from 0 (impossible) to 1 (certain) and use probabilities to compare the likelihood of events, use equally likely outcomes to find the probabilities of simple events and express them as fractions of combined events, and recording the information using diagrams or tables

This course offers a great opportunity to prepare you for a Maths qualification. You will become familiar with the qualification content, level and expectations. You will also improve your confidence in Maths with supportive tutors to guide you.

You need to have established Maths skills at Level 1 on the BKSB initial assessment as a minimum.
The BKSB initial assessment is a computer-based screening assessment to indicate and evidence your current level of Maths.
You should also have language skills corresponding to Level 1 as a minimum.
This can be evidenced through the initial screening or a Functional Skills Level 1 English or above (you need to bring evidence of this).

Your maths skills will be assessed and developed through a folder of work and the use of a PLP (Personal Learning Plan). Your work will be gathered and marked by your tutor as you progress through the course.
If you successfully complete this course, you can then progress onto the Level 1 Functional Skills Maths course.
By enrolling on a Maths course you can develop your problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, communication and time management skills including working to deadlines. Mathematical knowledge is very important in STEM jobs and in many other jobs. For example, health care professionals need maths skills to treat patients, understand medical tests and operate medical equipment. In fact, maths is a basic skill in most occupations.

You are expected to have a standard Geometry Set, a 30 cm Ruler, an A4 writing pad, a ring-binder or folders as well as pencils, a rubber and a highlighting pen. You will also need a Scientific calculator - preferably one of the Casio FX series which will cost about £10.00.
You should bring your materials to every class.
Please note that tutors may occasionally be changed at short notice. While teaching styles may vary, we ensure consistent quality across all of our courses. For this reason, a change of tutor does not qualify for a refund.