Basic skills

Basic skills are very important. Everyone needs them. These are 聽skills like聽reading, writing, number skills and computer skills that we use every day.聽You may hear them called聽Skills for Life. We also use these skills to learn other skills. You need them:

Basic skills are used by adults every day.

Crucial: If you do not gain Maths and English GCSE at grade C or above (5 or above on the new grading system), you will need to carry on studying towards gaining your Maths and English qualifications post-16 as part of your study programme.

You build your basic skills from a very early age. As soon as you start to read, write and learn, you are building basic skills.聽You learn your basic skills in all lessons, and during other activities, like work experience. But there are also key qualifications you take which prove that you have good enough basic skills. The most important of these are taken in Year 11:

These are very important qualifications. If you gain a grade C or above you will have more training and learning聽options,聽but there are opportunities for everyone.聽

Crucial: Although lots of apprenticeships require GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above,聽other opportunities (including some apprenticeships) may not.聽There are flexible learning solutions聽suitable for everyone available from聽local training providers.

Adults and learners of all ages take time to improve their skills. There are lots courses and other ways to learn. You can visit聽BBC Skillswise聽online to learn basic skills including functional skills like:聽

You can also watch videos, play games and quizzes and choose the right level of help for you.

How can I improve my skills?聽There are lots of places online where you can improve your skills and these include: