Functional Skills (Maths \ English) – Staging Brighter Futures Specialist College

Functional Skills in Maths and English – 3-Year Programme

Give your young person the everyday maths and English they need for life, work, and

community participation—taught in calm, structured settings with high expectations and the

right support. Learning is practical, meaningful, and closely aligned to EHCP outcomes and

Preparing for Adulthood.

Who this programme is for

Young adults with learning disabilities who benefit from small classes, clear routines, and hands-on tasks.
Parents and local authorities seeking measurable progress in literacy and numeracy linked to independence, employability, and community inclusion.

What learners develop (core skills)

Aligned to Preparing for Adulthood outcomes, learners build:

01

Functional Maths: money, time, number, measure, data, problem solving

02

Functional English: speaking & listening, reading for purpose, clear writing

03

Everyday independence: travel timings, budgeting, timetables, forms

04

Workplace basics: following instructions, emails, shift logs, stock counts

05

Communication: turn-taking, requesting help, giving updates to supervisors

06

Study skills: focus, task completion, checking work, working to deadlines

07

Confidence and self-advocacy: asking questions, explaining choices

How learning is structured

A progressive three-year pathway with increasing complexity and responsibility

Year 1 Foundations

Number sense and place value; practical counting and comparison
Money skills: coins/notes, totals, change, simple budgets
Time skills: reading clocks, durations, routine planning
Measure in context: length, weight, capacity for real tasks
Reading for everyday life: signs, symbols, short instructions
Writing basics: short messages, labels, forms with models
Speaking and listening: turn-taking, eye contact, clear requests

Year 2 Skills in Action

Multi-step problem solving using workplace-style scenarios
Data in real contexts: tallying, tables, simple charts
Price lists, discounts, receipts, and basic costings
Timetables, schedules, booking systems, appointment planning
Reading for information: menus, safety notices, job sheets
Functional writing: emails, incident notes, order forms
Presentation and spelling strategies with assistive tools
Supported work placement: applying maths and English on shift

Year 3 Employment Readiness

Accuracy, speed, and independence with minimal prompts
Budgeting for events/projects; simple cashing-up and reconciliation
Interpreting policies, task briefs, and safety information
Writing for audience and purpose: reports, applications, updates
Professional communication: phone scripts, customer interactions
Portfolio evidence mapped to EHCP outcomes and employer needs
Progression planning to supported internships, vocational courses, or entry-level work

How learning is delivered

Practical by design, purposeful by structure

70%

Practical, 30% Structured Teaching

Each week balances hands-on activity with focused taught sessions to build knowledge alongside skill.

34W

34-Week Teaching Plan Per Year

Real environments replace purely simulated learning — skills are practised in our on-site enterprises and partner placements, with 2–3 focused activities per module each week.

↻

Differentiated Teaching

Visual supports, scaffolded tasks, and accessible technology — read-aloud, word prediction, and symbol-supported materials — tailored to every learner.

✓

Clear Routines, Less Anxiety

First–then boards, checklists, and predictable classroom layouts reduce anxiety and build the independence learners need for work and daily life.

Where learning happens

Skills Hub: calm classrooms with visual timetables, manipulatives, and technology.

On-site enterprises: café, print studio, reception—live contexts for maths and English.

Community learning: shops, library, transport, and local services.

Employer placements: supervised practice applying literacy and numeracy on real tasks

Assessment and accreditation

Initial assessment and baseline linked to EHCP targets.

Ongoing, bite-sized assessments with photo/video evidence.

Half-termly reviews with measurable, functional goals.

Opportunities to work towards Functional Skills (Entry 1–Level 1/2) or stepwise unit accreditation, based on readiness.

Exam access arrangements where appropriate; alternative evidence routes for those not yet exam-ready.

Support and inclusion

Small classes with specialist teachers and job coaches.

Visual supports, chunks of instruction, and repetition for mastery.

Communication-friendly practice, including symbols and social stories.

Positive behaviour support embedded in daily routines.

Close collaboration with therapists and external professionals where named in the EHCP.

Regular, clear communication with families and local authorities.

Progression and outcomes

By programme completion, learners typically achieve:

Greater independence with money, time, and travel planning

Confident participation in workplace communication

Accurate completion of everyday forms and records

Recognised literacy/numeracy accreditation where appropriate

Reliable problem solving in real-life scenarios

A personal portfolio evidencing progress against EHCP outcomes

Next steps into supported internships, vocational pathways, or part-time employment

A week at a glance

Community maths: shopping lists, price comparison, cash handling

Workplace English: emails, logs, customer messages, phone scripts

Project session: planning and budgeting for an event or product

Confidence building: presentations, team tasks, reflective check-ins

Partnership with local authorities

Transparent tracking mapped to EHCP outcomes and annual reviews

Regular progress reports with attendance, readiness, and functional evidence

Robust safeguarding, risk assessment, and exam access procedures

Stepwise transition planning from Year 2, with employer engagement

Facilities and accessibility

Quiet breakout spaces and sensory-aware classrooms

Adapted resources: large print, coloured overlays, symbol-supported texts

Assistive technology: read-aloud tools, speech-to-text, calculators with visuals

Safe community access for real-life practice

Why Brighter Futures for Functional Skills

Practical, meaningful learning that transfers to life and work

High expectations with the right scaffolding—ambitious and achievable

Evidence-led progress aligned to EHCPs and Preparing for Adulthood

Proven progression to internships, vocational study, and employment

Let’s Talk About Your Young Person’s Future

If you are exploring specialist further education options for a young adult with learning disabilities, we would love to welcome you to Brighter Futures Specialist College.

Apply Now