Functional Skills & GCSE

Initial Assessment

An intelligent online assessment that accurately identifies a learner’s current working level for English and maths. The Initial Assessment uses complex algorithms to select the most suitable questions for each learner.

Benefits

Written for the reformed functional skills standards

Identifies from Pre-Entry to Level 2

All learners have a bespoke set of questions

Accessible from the bksbLIVE 2 learning platform

Diagnostic assessment

When a learner completes the Diagnostic Assessments, designed to be taken after the Initial Assessment, in English and maths, it provides them with an accurate level for the elements of:

Accurate levels for

Reading, SPAG and writing

Number and Measure

Shape and space

Statistics and data

Additional benefits

Written for the reformed functional skills standards

Identifies from Pre-Entry to Level 2

All learners have a bespoke set of questions

Accessible from the bksbLIVE 2 learning platform

Learning Resources

After initial and diagnostic assessments, learners are sign-posted to relevant resources from their individual learning plan to work on skill gaps. This includes engaging content and exercises which can be accessed on any device.

Features & Benefits

Fully interactive and self marking

Provide the essential underpinning knowledge base for Functional English and maths

Suitable for tutor-led and independent learning – ideal for classroom, workshop, work-based and distance learning

In-depth tracking and reporting

Progress checks

Progress Checks evaluates a learner’s advancement at the end of a learning module. The results then link to the learner’s learning plan and reports. The checks are fully interactive and self-marking, giving learners immediate feedback.

Features & Benefits

Written for the reformed functional skills standards

Identifies from Pre-Entry to Level 2

All learners have a bespoke set of questions

Accessible from the bksbLIVE 2 learning platform

Exam practice

The final step in the process learners are given exam style practice questions to work through at their own pace, which can be accessed from the prepare section of the Functional Skills Reform course.

Features & Benefits

Interactive and self marking with rigorous assessment for learners

Two sets of exam practice at each level

Calculator and non-calculator practice for Maths

Review-answer feature for learners with guidance on timing in line with awarding body assessments

GCSE Maths

Our GCSE solution for maths features a Diagnostic Assessment, engaging Learning Resources and Progress Checks to evidence progression.

Features & Benefits

Graded assessment: Pre-GCSE, 1-3, 4-5 or 6-9 (Higher Tier only)

3 levels of resources increasing in difficulty

5 modules: Number, Ratio, Geometry, Algebra, Probability and Statistics

Test your Knowledge Skill Checks: can be used at the beginning or end of the course

GCSE English Language

Our English Language course material is structured to the official exam style, explaining exactly what skills are needed, demonstrating how to apply them, and providing exam-style questions, tiered by difficulty.

Features & Benefits

Exam-focussed spelling, punctuation and grammar resources

The course is split into two different courses: one version suitable for students working towards AQA

The second version will be suitable for students working towards the new Pearson Lift GCSE English Language

Regardless of which board a student is studying with, bksb’s streamlined materials will help them to develop the skills they need.

GCSE English Literature

The bksb GCSE English Literature course provides a comprehensive review of the most popular texts. Tailored towards AQA’s requirements, yet meeting the needs of students using any exam board

Topics included in course

Author and Context

Plot summaries

Main characters

Main themes

Texts covered in course

(19th century) Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol, Jekyll and Hyde, The Sign of Four

(Post-1914) An Inspector Calls, Blood Brothers, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies

(Shakespeare) Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice

(Poetry) Love and Relationships, Power and Conflict

Using devices and handling information

The rapid change in technology can be a daunting proposition for some people, our course teaches learners how to use all the latest devices as well as useful applications.

The course covers:

Hardware, software, operations systems and applications

Finding and evaluating information

Managing and storing information

Identifying and solving technical problems

Creating and editing

Creating and editing documents is a crucial skill to have in working life. Our course teaches the creation of key documents such as word documents, powerpoints, excel spreadsheets and more.

The course covers:

Creating and editing documents

Creating and editing digital media

Processing numerical data (L1 only)

Communicating

Effective communication online is growing in importance year on year so it is crucial that learners can do this with ease.

The course covers:

Communicating and sharing

Managing traceable online activities

Transacting

More and more shopping is done every single year online with this trend expected to increase. This course shows users how to purchase online safely and easily.

The course covers:

Buying online services

Buying securely online

Being safe and responsible online

Online safety is paramount to protecting all your personal information. This course will educate your learners about the importance of staying safe online.

The course covers:

Protecting privacy

Protecting data

Being responsible online

Digital wellbeing