FunctionalSkills
Maths & English
Levels 1 & 2
City Educators is an approved Pearson centre for Functional Skills Maths and English at Levels 1 and 2. We teach the course and run the assessment, so you can gain the qualification you need without waiting for the summer exam season.
At a glance
- Subjects
- Maths & English
- Levels
- Level 1 & Level 2
- Assessment
- On demand, year round
- Study
- In centre or online
Four qualifications,approved and assessed here
All four are Pearson Functional Skills Qualifications on the 2019 specification, delivered under our centre approval.
Functional Skills
Mathematics
Number, measure, shape and handling data applied to everyday situations. A solid step up before Level 2.
The level most apprenticeships and employers ask for, and the recognised alternative to a GCSE grade 4 pass.
Functional Skills
English
Reading, writing, speaking and listening for work and study, assessed in realistic contexts.
Confident written and spoken communication. The usual requirement for apprenticeships and college entry.
Functional Skills Level 2 is a recognised alternative to a GCSE grade 4 for apprenticeships, employers and many college courses. It is a separate qualification, not a GCSE grade — if you specifically need a GCSE, see our examinations page.
Three routes tothe same qualification
School-aged students
14–16Studied in Key Stage 4 alongside or instead of GCSE, giving a practical, real-world route for students who find the traditional GCSE curriculum a poor fit. Works well within an alternative provision or home education timetable.
Post-16 & apprentices
16–19If you didn't reach GCSE grade 4 in English or maths, Condition of Funding rules mean you must keep studying the subject. Level 2 is widely accepted in place of that pass and opens the way to higher-level apprenticeships.
Adult learners
19+A faster route to a recognised maths or English qualification when you're changing career, applying to university, or need Level 2 for a job. Built around adult timetables, including evenings and weekends.
What Functional Skillsactually unlocks
A flexible route to the credentials that open up further education, university and apprenticeships.
GCSE equivalency
Accepted across the UK in place of a GCSE grade 4, meeting the English and maths requirement for most higher education courses.
University access
Accepted by many universities for competitive degrees including nursing, teaching (PGCE) and social work. Check the institution's own policy first.
Apprenticeship gateway
Required to complete Level 3 and higher apprenticeships if you don't already hold GCSE passes.
On-demand testing
No waiting for a fixed summer or autumn window. You sit the assessment when you are ready.
Rapid turnaround
Results typically published within 14 to 20 working days, fast enough to secure a college place or meet a conditional offer.
Practical exam style
Real-world tasks such as working out travel costs or writing a professional email, rather than abstract theory.
Ideal for resits
A faster route than sitting through another year of GCSE resit classes.
SEN-friendly structure
Straightforward, contextualised questions suit learners with SEN, dyscalculia or dyslexia.
Taught and assessedunder one roof
Approved Pearson centre
Approved to deliver and assess all four qualifications. You learn and sit the assessment in one place.
On-demand assessments
Functional Skills isn't tied to the summer exam series, so you can sit when you're ready rather than waiting for May.
Taught by exam specialists
The same tutors who prepare our GCSE and A Level students, working from the Pearson 2019 specification.
In centre or online
Attend at Shaftesbury House in Ealing, or study live online if you're working or travelling.
Access arrangements
Extra time and other reasonable adjustments arranged where evidence supports them.
Built around your deadline
Apprenticeship start date, college offer or employer requirement — tell us the date and we'll plan backwards from it.
From first enquiryto certificate
Most learners start within two weeks of their initial assessment.
Initial assessment
A short, no-pressure diagnostic tells us whether Level 1 or Level 2 is the right starting point, and which topics need the most work.
Registration
We register you with Pearson as your approved centre and confirm your assessment window.
Taught course
Small-group or one-to-one teaching in Ealing or online, with past papers, model answers and homework marked by your tutor.
Assessment & result
You sit the assessment with us as your approved centre. Results are typically published within 14 to 20 working days.