The Framework for secondary mathematics addresses the mathematics programmes of study, and therefore embeds functional skills in its structure and content at Level 1 in Key Stage 3 and Level 2 at Key Stage 4. The flexibility of the Framework structure, with strands of progression across the age range, ensures that learners are not restricted in their achievement only to Level 1 in Key Stage 3 and Level 2 in Key Stage 4. In addition, the strands of progression and related objectives across the years explicitly highlight many of the core processes and concepts of functional skills, such as 'unfamiliar contexts', 'appropriate' deployment of skills, 'complex' information and, most importantly, 'applying' what has been learned.
From autumn 2008, further guidance and suggested links between the strands of progression and the functional skills standards will be provided in order to support planning, teaching and assessment of functional skills while using the Framework for secondary mathematics.
