Maths Skills - Print version

How improving your maths could help

• Improve your confidence dealing with money and budgeting
• Secure a place in further education
• Secure a job
• Secure a promotion
• Allow you to support your children with their homework

GCSE or Functional Skills – What is the difference?

We offer a choice of GCSE or Functional Skills in maths. Which one is right for you?

The GCSE exams are better known, so if you need a maths qualification to help you get a job this is the best option in the long run. There are several reasons why you might prefer to start with functional skills:

• Functional Skills Level 2 is counted as equivalent to GCSE grade 4. This is a high enough level for many jobs.
• If you need a qualification quickly, we can enter you for functional skills as soon as you are ready. You can only sit GCSE once a year when the schools do them. This is around late May and early June.
• Functional Skills has more levels, so if you are not ready for GCSE you can work your way up by doing Functional Skills exams.
• You must pass an assessment to do GCSE with us. Functional Skills is open to everyone.
• Functional Skills focuses on more everyday maths. GCSE is more theoretical.

Functional Skills maths classes

Maths skill level

It doesn’t matter what standard your maths is, we can help! We accommodate anything from absolute beginners up to pre-GCSE level in our Functional Skills classes.

Course costs

Functional Skills maths courses are free, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/adult-education/eligibility-courses-fees/2].

Course location

Maths Functional Skill classes run at a number of popular city venues but we also offer online classes.

Course dates

We run classes during the school term times.

Maths classes will start in mid-September and will continue through Spring and Summer terms.

Classes are normally one session per week, and we have them available every weekday.

• Morning classes are from 9.15 until 11.45am
• Afternoon classes are from 12.30pm until 3pm
• Evening classes are from 6.15pm until 8.45pm

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, but your English needs to be good enough that you can understand what is being said in class and can read the exam paper. We expect that you should have English at Entry Level 3 or above.

Qualifications

We offer five levels of Functional Skills maths qualifications.

The least difficult is Entry Level 1 and the most challenging is Level 2 which is classed as equivalent to a GCSE Grade 4 (what used to be a Grade C).

When enrolling you will be asked why you want to do maths (your goal) and depending on your goal you will be guided on the qualification level best suited to your needs.

Sign up for a course

You can book a place on an enrolment session [http://coventry.council.bookingbug.com/home/37022-AES-Pre-Course-Assessment-Live]. This will ask you to choose the venue where you would like your appointment and then ask you to choose the day and time that suits you.

If you don’t feel able to apply online, please ring our Learner Services team on 024 7697 5200.

ID needed to enrol

You will need to prove your identity and that you meet the grant eligibility criteria [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/adult-education/eligibility-courses-fees/2]. To do this we need to see some ID

• If you were born in the UK please bring your birth certificate, driving licence or passport.
• If you are an EU citizen please bring your passport/ID card and a share code generated within the last 90 days.
• Otherwise, please bring your resident's permit, passport with visa or whatever documentation you have that shows your resident status.
• We will also ask you for your National Insurance number.

GCSE maths classes

Entry requirements

To secure a place on the course you will need to pass an assessment that requires you to be working at around Functional Skills Level 2.

Your English needs to be good enough that you can understand what is being said in class and can read the exam paper (so should be at least Functional Skills Level 1).

Course costs

If you meet the grant eligibility criteria [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/adult-education/eligibility-courses-fees/2] and do not already have a grade ‘C’ GCSE in maths (or grade 4 if you’ve studied the new curriculum), then the course is free.

If you do not meet the grant eligibility criteria or already have a grade ‘C’ (or grade 4) GCSE in maths and are looking to improve your grade, then get in touch with us by emailing AESessentialSkills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:AESessentialSkills@coventry.gov.uk] and we can discuss costs with you.

Course dates

We are offering Maths classes in the 2024 - 25 academic year.

GCSE classes will start the week beginning Monday 16 September.

The exam dates have yet to be confirmed but are usually at the end of May/beginning of June.

Intensive Maths GCSE will start in January 2025 and will offer the GCSE course in a condensed period of time.

Course content

This course covers the entire school maths curriculum in under 75 hours of teaching. That’s a lot to get through! Most of our students find the course quite demanding.

You will be expected to complete homework every week. You will often find that you need to do extra study and practise before you are able to complete the homework.

You should allow for at least 5 hours of home study a week.

Enrolment

Prospective GCSE learners should have a minimum of GCSE grade D/3 or Functional Skills level 1 and must pass a pre-course assessment before starting the course.  If you have been away from education for a while or have no qualifications but are confident in your everyday skills, come and talk to us.  Passing the pre-course assessment is the criteria for being offered a place on a course.  We will take learners for one GCSE only (you cannot do both maths and English GCSE with us in the same year).  However, if you are uncertain which GCSE to apply for, you are welcome to sit both assessments to enable you to make an informed decision.

Sign up for a course

You can book a place on an enrolment session [http://coventry.council.bookingbug.com/home/37022-AES-Pre-Course-Assessment-Live]. This will ask you to choose the venue where you would like your appointment and then ask you to choose the day and time that suits you.

If you don’t feel able to apply online, please ring our Learner Services team on 024 7697 5200 OR phone Matt Towner on 024 7697 1093 or via email at AESessentialSkills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:AESessentialSkills@coventry.gov.uk]

ID needed to enrol

You will need to prove your identity and that you meet the grant eligibility criteria [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/adult-education/eligibility-courses-fees/2]. To do this we need to see some ID

• If you were born in the UK please bring your birth certificate, driving licence or passport.
• If you are an EU citizen please bring your passport/ID card and a share code generated within the last 90 days.
• Otherwise, please bring your resident's permit, passport with visa or whatever documentation you have that shows your resident status.

Exams for private students

Email us on AESessentialSkills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:AESessentialSkills@coventry.gov.uk] and we'll get in touch to discuss this in more detail.

Exam board

We use the AQA exam board.

Multiply classes - maths tailored to you

What is Multiply?

Multiply is a government-funded programme offering FREE maths and numeracy courses to adults aged 19+ who do not have a Maths GCSE at grade C/4 or a Functional Skills Level 2 qualification or feel they have forgotten the skills learned during their GCSEs. The aim of this programme is to equip people with basic math skills that may pave the way for better job prospects, higher wages, or further study. Note - Multiply funding ends in March 2025, so last chance for these classes!

Maths courses tailored to you

Multiply offers both daytime and evening maths course across Coventry. Furthermore, we offer bespoke maths and numeracy courses for individuals, employers, and voluntary community sector organisations. These courses can be delivered in a venue of your choice, whether that is in an Adult Education venue, community centre, or in the workplace.

Examples of maths courses offered by Multiply include:

• Gateway maths into GCSE and functional skill classes.
• Classes to conquer maths anxiety.
• Classes to help with your children’s maths.
• Living the high life on a budget.
• Maths for Job Interviews.
• Maths for the Workplace.

We are also keen to hear what maths support you need – so please let us know if there are other topics you’d like to go through.

Financial literacy course

To help with the cost-of-living crisis, Multiply is offering free financial literacy courses. We cover a range of finance topics, including:

• Managing Personal Finances
• Understanding Payslips and Tax Code
• Understanding Pensions and Interest Rates
• Managing Financial Crises
• Financial Fundamentals for the self-employed
• Financial Fundamentals for aspiring managers

Course availability

We run Multiply courses throughout the year and at a range of venues across the city. We also offer online provision, with support to help you access them if needed.

We are confident we will be able to offer you a class to suit you.

Maths skill level

Multiply classes are targeted at those people who don’t have GCSE maths at Grade C/4 yet. If you struggle with maths, we will be able to help you, no matter how weak your maths skills are.

If you need higher level maths beyond GCSE, this is not the programme for you.

Other entry requirements

Multiply courses are funded through grants from the West Midlands Combined Authority based on Government rules. This means you need to meet the grant eligibility requirements [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/adult-education/eligibility-courses-fees/2].

Proof of ID will be required when you sign up for a class, e.g. Driving licence, Passport, or another valid photo ID.

How to join a class

Enrol now via our Enrolment Portal [https://adulteducation.a365hosted.com/PSWebEnrolment/webenrolment.aspx?page=~/webcontrols/searchnewCC.ascx]. Just click on the ‘Maths’ tile to see all the courses we offer. To enquire about bespoke maths courses email multiply@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:multiply@coventry.gov.uk]

Course costs

All Multiply classes are free to eligible learners.

Employers

If you are an employer and you have staff who need to upskill in maths, please contact us. We can offer tailored programmes to meet your needs or help you staff to access our existing provision. You can reach us on multiply@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:multiply@coventry.gov.uk]

Next steps after Multiply

Coventry Adult Education Service offers a wide range of courses and has strong links with other training providers in the city. We also work very closely with the Council’s Job Shop. Once you’ve completed a Multiply course with us, we will offer you advice and guidance to help you decide what your next step will be.

Short maths brush-up classes

If you are thinking about improving your maths but the thought of joining a maths class worries you, we can help! We are running short five-week courses aimed at improving maths confidence. This may lead to joining a Functional Skills class later in the year, but it could just be about building up your skills in a non-pressured environment. You will learn about how to work with everyday maths, from the weekly shop to planning that DIY project you’ve been putting off!

Sign up for a course

You can book a place on an enrolment session [http://coventry.council.bookingbug.com/home/37022-AES-Pre-Course-Assessment-Live]. This will ask you to choose the venue where you would like your appointment and then ask you to choose the day and time that suits you.

If you don’t feel able to apply online, please ring our Learner Services team on 024 7697 5200.

All classes will need viable numbers and after enrolments you may be asked to consider moving to a different day/time if your class doesn’t have enough enrolments. Managers will aim to meet the needs of all learners.

For more information about maths classes, please email AESessentialSkills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:AESessentialSkills@coventry.gov.uk].