Booking options
£145 - £399
+ VAT£145 - £399
+ VATOn-Demand course
1 hour
All levels
This qualification is equivalent to GCSE grade C or 4
Take the Exam from Home – Guaranteed Fast Track Results
Exam Booking within 2 Working Days of Enrolment
Remote Exam Online or Paper based both option available
Course Duration: 55 hours
Unlimited Access to Course Materials
Get Free Mock Tests & Free Past Papers
Extra 25% Time for people with Learning Difficulties
NCFE, Pearson Edexcel & Open Awards all are OFQUAL-regulated and nationally recognised
Exam slots are available 24*7 from Monday to Sunday. If you are in a rush and would like to book your exam sooner, then you can book your remote online exam within 3 working days for Open Awards, 2 working days of enrolment for NCFE and within 7 working days for Pearson Edexcel.
Please note the exam price advertised on the website for the Open Awards remote invigilation exam is applicable for weekdays (Monday to Friday between 9 am to 5 pm). If you would like to book the Open Awards remote invigilation exam at the weekend then there is an additional £25+Vat applicable.
Our expert designed Functional Skills English Level 1 Course has smart learning options that provide the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in Functional Skills English.
Whether you want to improve your literacy skills, our course is tailored to meet your specific needs and help you achieve your academic and career goals from the comfort of your home.
You also get the opportunity to book Live 1:1 tutor support via Zoom.
With interactive lessons, FREE mock test, personalised feedback and remote exams, our English Level 1 Course ensures a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
You can decide the exam date and place according to your convenience.
Awarding Body | Paper-Based Exam in Centre | On-Screen Exam in Centre | Remote Online Exam - From Home | Results |
Edexcel | Book within 15 days | Book within 24 Hours | Book within 7 working days | Get results in 20 working days |
NCFE | Book within 10 working days | Book within 24 Hours | Book within 2 working days | Get results in only 7 days |
Open Awards | N/A | N/A | Book within 2 working days | Get results in only 16 working days |
*Offline examinations will be held at our Swindon and London centres. Please contact us for more information.
The new assessment and result dates by NCFE is: (Only applicable if you are attending the exam in between the following assessment date).
Delivery mode: On-screen and RI
Assessment date to and from: 16/09/2024 – 25/10/2024
Results release: 01/11/2024
The new assessment and result dates by Open Awards is: (Only applicable if you are attending the exam in between the following assessment date).
Delivery mode: Remote
Assessment date to and from: 02/09/2024 – 13/09/2024
Results release: 11/10/2024
Assessment date to and from: 04/11/2024 – 15/11/2024
Results release: 13/12/2024
(Note that this only applies to the mentioned exam type and if you book the exam during the dates mentioned above. Also, this will not affect the schedule of the other exam types and results.)
NCFE, Pearson Edexcel and Open Awards are OFQUAL-regulated and nationally recognised; however, the only difference lies in the exam booking and result turn-around time.
You can book your remote online exam within 2 working days of enrolment for NCFE, within 7 working days for Pearson Edexcel and within 3 working days for Open Awards.
You can get your NCFE results in 7 days, your Edexcel results in 20 working days and your Open Awards results within 16 working days.
All of the awarding bodies are accepted by universities and apprenticeships. This distinction allows learners to choose the awarding body that aligns best with their educational and career goals.
Unit 1: Speaking and Listening
The speaking and listening section entails comprehensive learning and activities, including presenting and narrating skills, argument presentation techniques, and more.
Unit 2: Reading
Learn to read a text with the help of scanning, skimming, and detailed reading, and also, learn how to find organisational features' purpose from the text.
Unit 3: Writing
The writing part will cover English grammar, including punctuation, spelling, syntax, etc. enabling you to avoid all the writing errors and mistakes.
This Level 1 Functional Skills English course will help you build a solid foundation in mathematics. Throughout the course, it will provide you with various learning materials and activities to enhance your understanding of these subjects.
Initial Assessment: To identify the current level of a student's abilities and recommend the appropriate course to enrol in upon completion.
Diagnostic Assessment: Identifies skill gaps and produces an individual learning plan
Learning Resources: Comprehensive video tutorials, practice quizzes & topic-based tests
Progress Tracker: To record your progress in the course
Free Mock Test: Access our free mock test facility for professional feedback and to prepare for the final exam.
This level 1 English qualification is available to all students of all academic backgrounds; no experience or previous qualifications are required. However, you will require a laptop/desktop computer and a good internet connection.
The Pearson Edexcel, NCFE and Open Awards Functional Skills Qualification in English at Level 2 consist of 3 exams, these are Reading, Writing and Speaking, Listening and Communicating.
Speaking, Listening and Communicating (SLC) Exam | ||
Awarding Body | Duration | Number of Marks |
Pearson Edexcel / NCFE / Open Awards | Up to 25 minutes | Pass/Fail |
SLS Exam Pearson Edexcel / NCFE: Speaking, listening and communicating are assessed through one 5-minute presentation and linked question and answer session in groups of three to five and one 15-minute formal discussion together in groups of three to five learners. This exam will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.
SLS Exam Open Awards: Speaking, listening and communicating are assessed through one 10-minute presentation and linked question and answer session in groups of three to four and one 10-minute formal discussion together in groups of three to five learners. This exam will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.
Reading Exam | |||
Awarding Body | Duration | Number of Marks | Pass Mark |
Pearson Edexcel | 75 minutes | 35 | 65% |
NCFE | 60 minutes | 30 | 53% – 57% |
Open Awards | 60 minutes | 30 | 18 out of 30 |
Reading is assessed through a test consisting of multiple-choice, short open-response and medium open-response questions.
Writing Exam | |||
Awarding Body | Duration | Number of Marks | Pass Mark |
Pearson Edexcel | 60 minutes | 36 | 63% |
NCFE | 60 minutes | 44 | 57% – 61% |
Open Awards | 60 minutes | 60 | 36 out of 60. |
Reading/Writing Exam Pass Mark: Learners are required to achieve an overall percentage of marks mentioned in the above table to pass the English reading exam. However, the awarding process will determine specifically where the pass mark sits for each assessment version. Therefore, the pass mark may vary between assessments.
This Functional Skills English Level 1 has been independently accredited by Pearson Edexcel, NCFE and Open Awards also regulated by Ofqual. The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is responsible for regulating qualifications, assessments, and examinations in England.
Pearson Edexcel is the most prestigious awarding body, for an academic and vocational qualifications. Pearson Edexcel qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and recognised by universities and employers across the world.
NCFE is a charity and awarding organisation that provides qualifications in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is regulated by Ofqual in England and recognised in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Open Awards is an awarding organisation that offers a wide range of qualifications across various sectors, including education, health and social care, and business. Their qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and are designed to meet the needs of learners and employers. Open Awards also works closely with educational institutions and employers to ensure their qualifications are relevant and up-to-date.
Level 1 English equals a GCSE Grade 1 to 3 or D-G. This means that achieving a Level 1 qualification in English demonstrates a basic understanding and practical application of the English language, including reading, writing, and communication skills.
The advanced course of functional skills English level 1 is the level 2 English course. In the advanced course, you will learn English in depth.
Some universities may approve the functional skills English level 1 as an alternative to GCSEs or other qualifications, it ultimately depends on the specific university and its admissions policies. Therefore, it's best to check with the university's requirements. However, most universities usually require a higher level of English proficiency, like Functional Skills English level2 GCSE Grade C/4 in English.
Lead Academy's Pearson Edexcel and NCFE Qualifications in English Level 1 consist of internally marked speaking, listening, and communicating assessments and externally marked reading and writing assessments. The speaking and listening assessments include a 5-minute presentation and a 15-minute formal discussion in groups of three to five learners. The reading assessment lasts 75 minutes and consists of multiple-choice, short open-response, and medium open-response questions. The writing assessment, which includes tasks assessing spelling, punctuation, and grammar, lasts 60 minutes.
Functional English skills Level 1 is generally less complicated than GCSE English. The exam focuses on basic language skills and communication, emphasizing practical, real-world applications. The exam is designed to be accessible to many learners, including those who may have struggled with traditional classroom-based learning. However, it still requires a good understanding and proficiency in English, so preparing and practicing in advance is essential.
A Functional skills course develops for the one who wants to learn Math, English, and ICT for individual achievement in the daily workplace. On the other hand, GCSE focuses on theories and tests your academic ability.
A confirmation email will be sent to your registered email after payment. Hereafter anytime, you can start your learning journey with Lead Academy.
The professional body approves the procedures if any e-learning platform claims its courses are accredited.
You will only realize the benefit of having an accredited certificate once you face the corporate world. As employees, job places, and more value the accredited certificate, you must own this certificate by doing the course with us.
For Pearson Edexcel and NCFE:
To sit your assessment, you’ll need:
A laptop/desktop with webcam and microphone; you can’t sit the assessment on a tablet or smartphone a good Wi-Fi connection – recommended minimum 1Mbit/s Upload, minimum 10Mbit/s Download. You MUST use google chrome browser for the exam, as this is recommended by the awarding body.
A smartphone or tablet (Apple iOS 8.0 / Android 4.1 or higher) - this will be used to record you taking the assessment.
A suitable environment - quiet room with no distractions
The link for the assessment sent to your email; remember to check your spam/junk folder.
You must activate Airplane mode on your smartphone however you need to be connected to Wi-Fi, so turn on Airplane mode then reactivate your Wi-Fi.
Please familiarise yourself with the potential violations as these can potentially lead to the assessment being voided.
Ensure ALL equipment is plugged in (including phone for the recording of sessions). Loss of power at any point could lead to the assessment being voided.
You must brief other members of your household/workplace that you’re sitting an assessment, and they must not enter the room at any point.
There is a 24-hour live chat function within the assessment software for technical support should you need it at any time.
For Open Awards:
In order to take your exam, you need to have the following equipment:
A good quality laptop or PC with a minimum screen size of approx. 14” and minimum resolution of 1024 x 768.
A stable internet connection with at least 3mbps.
An integrated (i.e., fixed) webcam on your PC/ laptop or a portable webcam.
If using a PC/ laptop with an integrated webcam, a reflective surface (e.g., a mirror) must be available. This will be used to show the invigilator the space immediately surrounding your screen and keyboard.
A basic (non-scientific) calculator for maths assessments. You will have access to an on-screen calculator but may feel more comfortable using a separate calculator. Please note that all workings need to be added to the assessment platform if you use a separate calculator so that your workings can be marked.
Plain paper. You will need to show this to your invigilator at the beginning of the exam to assure them that you do not have access to notes.
A dictionary (where allowed).
Supported Browsers
Chrome: 34.0.1847 or above
Microsoft Edge: Version 88.0.705.81 or newer Firefox: 31.0 or above Safari: 6.2 or above Safe Exam Browser 2.0.2 or above
Please note: Chromebooks are not compatible with the Safe Exam Browser
Browser settings
Popups must be allowed.
Guidance on how to do this below:
Chrome
Edge
Firefox
Safari
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