Guidance

ESOL qualifications: interim arrangements up to 31 December 2014 (published May 2014)

Updated 7 October 2014

This guidance was withdrawn on

This page applies to the 2014 to 2015 funding year.

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esol-qualifications-interim-arrangements/esol-qualifications-interim-arrangements-up-to-31-december-2014

1. New skills for life qualifications

  1. In February 2013 we set out the principles to shape the future suite of new skills for life (SfL) ESOL qualifications. Since that time awarding organisations have been developing a number of new ESOL SfL qualifications and some of these have been submitted to Ofqual for accreditation.

  2. To enable providers to complete their planning for 2014 to 2015 and to ensure there is time to prepare for the delivery of the new qualifications we have agreed with BIS and Ofqual to put in place interim arrangements to continue funding the existing ESOL adult basic certificates and ‘units’ for a further period up to 31 December 2014.

  3. Ofqual are writing to awarding organisations with provision to extend the end dates of the existing suite of qualifications and associated assessments.

  4. Once the new ESOL qualifications are accredited and approved for funding, we will update our funding lists. Providers should also speak with their awarding organisations as they will know the exact switch over point for their individual qualifications.

2. Funding arrangements

  1. In 2014 to 2015 existing ESOL adult basic certificates will be funded at the same published rates as 2013 to 2014. These were based on historical national delivery patterns and awarding organisation recommended guided learning hours (glh).

  2. During the extension, if any ESOL learner needs to progress before starting a regulated ESOL qualification or needs to broaden their learning beyond the scope of the regulated ESOL qualification, these additional requirements can be recorded using ‘learning aim class codes’ and will be funded using providers’ planned guided learning hours. This is the same as for non-regulated ESOL provision and is defined and explained in appendix H of the ILR specification. Learning support is also available for ESOL learners where required in accordance with our funding rules.

  3. In summary, funding for existing ESOL qualifications and units in 2014 to 2015 will be based on: * the published rates for the adult basic certificates in ESOL skills for life * non-regulated ESOL provision * learning support to meet an identified need

  4. Once there are new ESOL qualifications available from awarding organisations for delivery providers will be expected to deliver them to new students. These will be funded in line with the Adult Skills Budget approach and not on the basis of these interim arrangements.

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