"We wanted to run OCR Functional Skills qualifications across key subjects including Maths and English, to help bring borderline students up to standard in preparation for and well in time for when they take GCSEs."
"The Head of IT and Senior Management members were originally involved in deciding to pilot OCR Functional Skills and since its inception the qualification has proven very successful."
Joanne Day - Cover and Exams Manager
"I like to spend most of my time doing the writing part of the English. I probably enjoy that the most. I think the learners enjoy the speaking and listening because it is more down to them and they get to interact more with each other rather than sitting and being quiet, just writing."
"I have used OCR's Customer Service Helpdesk before and that was very useful. They were very quick in responding to my questions. In addition, I have used the website quite a lot. I have used the practice papers and other resources and I have no complaints about OCR's support materials or in fact, as an Awarding Body at all."
Lucy Marr - Lecturer of Functional Skills English
"I think OCR Functional Skills in ICT are very important because they teach the practical use of computer applications and embed how the students actually use application software. Other courses don't do that. It is therefore an ideal course that teaches kids how to use application software... end of!"
"We particularly enjoy using the excellent OCR website which is updated regularly and is always on hand when we need it. It is full of useful data files that are always made available before each assessment. We regularly download resources and we have subscribed to the OCR email alerts. Using these facilities, we have built up a strong web-based programme of past papers and other useful information."
Julie Walsh - Leader of ICT
"We chose three awarding bodies last year to try out; Edexcel, AQA and OCR. We really liked the OCR 'window' approach to timetabling of the tests."
"Learners enjoy the practicality of the course, the way it relates to their lives and to real life. Teachers here enjoy the fact there are no portfolios!"
Tony House - Examinations, Accreditation and Timetable Manager
"We really liked the approach from OCR and we had a very good relationship with their regional contact and the Moderator and received a good service at the time. In addition, we had received some good training from OCR and all these reasons made us feel it would be best to stay with OCR."
"One of the main benefits seen for learners doing OCR Functional Skills is that it uses a more holistic approach; it is a problem-solving approach and also, in terms of English, I like the fact that learners are actually writing and that there is external kind of assessment rather than multiple choice or a portfolio that is developed over a period of time. I think it doesn't hurt to be a little more rigorous in the assessment."
"Our learners have enjoyed learning Functional Skills and I have enjoyed teaching it a lot. I enjoyed the more open-ended approach and the fact that we weren't confined by portfolio tasks and then having to teach to a multiple-choice test. I also think the learners really saw the meaning and relevance to what they were doing. The learners that fed back to me said they enjoyed discussions and enjoyed finding out about different ways of writing, like an article or a report. You know, they were really positive about all of it."
"I was always happy with the access of training to staff and the one day training - Get Ready and Get Started - they were good training sessions and I liked them and the people that came along to the training were always clear and able to deal and answer questions very well."
Bernadette McGouran - Learning Support Teacher