Key information regarding Ascentis English and Maths qualification funding
Ascentis have been informed by the ESFA regarding two important funding updates.
1) Level 1 English and Maths Skills
Ascentis have been informed by the ESFA that from 17/05/2022, AEB public funding will no longer be available for the Ascentis Level 1 English and Maths Skills qualifications.
The ESFA have confirmed that learners who have already started and registered on the qualifications at any point up to and including the funding approval end date (17/05/2022), will continue to be funded by AEB public funding. The ESFA will continue to fund these learners until either they have completed the qualification, or until the funding validity end date; up to three years after the last date for new starts. Learners who start these qualifications after 17/05/2022 will no longer be eligible for AEB public funding.
Ascentis can confirm that the Ascentis Level 1 English and Maths Skills qualifications will continue to be available after 17/05/2022, however they will not be available for any AEB public funding.
2) Entry Level 1-3 English and Maths Skills
Ascentis have been informed by the ESFA that from 31/07/2022, AEB public funding will no longer be available for the Ascentis Entry Level English and Maths Skills qualifications.
The ESFA have confirmed that learners who have already started and are registered on the qualifications at any point up to and including the funding approval end date (31/07/2022), will continue to be funded by AEB public funding. The ESFA will continue to fund these learners until either they have completed the qualification, or until the funding validity end date; up to three years after the last date for new starts. Learners who start these qualifications after 31/07/2022 will no longer be eligible for AEB public funding.
Ascentis can confirm that the Ascentis Entry Level English and Maths Skills (Entry 1, 2 and 3) qualifications will continue to be available after 31/07/2022, however they will not be available for any AEB public funding.
How does this affect my learners and what support is available?
In response to this ESFA notification, Ascentis can confirm that AEB public funding is now available for the Ascentis Level 1 English and Maths (Stepping Stones to Functional Skills) qualifications and AEB public funding will be available from 1st August 2022 for the Ascentis Entry Level (1, 2 and 3) English and Maths (Stepping Stones to Functional Skills) qualifications. These are contemporary qualifications that map to the reformed Functional Skills content and share the same design characteristics as the Ascentis English and Maths Skills qualifications.
Ascentis have established comprehensive mapping documents which provide an overview of the academic differences between the Ascentis English and Maths Skills qualifications and the Ascentis English and Maths (Stepping Stones to Functional Skills) qualifications. Please get in touch if you would like to receive a copy of the mapping documents via development@ascentis.co.uk.
If you currently do not have approval to deliver the Ascentis Entry Level – Level 1 English and Maths (Stepping Stones to Functional Skills) qualifications and would like to offer these qualifications, please follow the link here to the fast-track Qualification Approval Form. Please send all completed forms to exams@ascentis.co.uk.
Ascentis is committed to support you in the delivery of these qualifications and will fully assist you if you wish to transition to the new qualifications. For any questions regarding the above information or if you feel a call would be beneficial, please contact Ascentis via development@ascentis.co.uk.