Becky O'Brien commented, 20 July 2023 14:50

I wish I had a full answer for you as I've just been looking at this, and have come here to get an answer to one of your queries! They have made changes in this area. Whether they realised the full implications or not, I don't know, but it does seems to read like level 1 can be funded no matter the IA result. 22-23 had a follow-up paragraph that has no equivalent in 23-24. P141 We will fund Functional skills English and / or maths at level 1 or below where you (or a subcontractor) have conducted an initial assessment that shows the apprentice needs to study at a lower level before being able to achieve their level 2. The apprentice must be judged to be below level 1 to be funded for a level 1 qualification.  (AGAIN, this is from 22-23) I am confident we are meant to enrol them on Level 1 first, because of the following language about "securing" level 1. 37.1. Where the apprentice holds neither level 1 nor level 2 approved qualifications: 37.1.1 The apprentice must study towards and achieve English and maths qualifications of at least level 1 (functional skills level 1 or GCSE grade E or 2). Once level 1 (functional skills level 1 or GCSE grade E or 2) is secured, apprentices must work towards level 2 English and / or maths (functional skills level 2 or GCSE) where there is time to make meaningful progress (a minimum of three months remaining prior to gateway) A literal reading of this indicates it can be funded, as there's no modifying paragraph like P141 from 22-23 any more and the above is in a section called "What we will fund". But they've not said this is a change, and it does go against years of that being a funding rule across all funding streams, so I too am feeling quite unsure. I think I'll ask the helpdesk. Let's see if I can get an answer that isn't just quoting the rules back at me! Anyone else want to weigh in? Martin West Ben James or @... Steve Hewitt

1. Maths/English in Apps 23/24 funding rules

I wish I had a full answer for you as I've just been looking at this, and have come here to get an answer to one of your queries! They have made changes in this area. Whether they realised the full...

Becky O'Brien commented, 11 July 2023 15:07

@... This was my interpretation too. Mentioning PED got me a little unsure, as in my mind I link that to the ILR PED, when of course it applies to both. Thank you so much.

1. Apprentice Passed PED

@... This was my interpretation too. Mentioning PED got me a little unsure, as in my mind I link that to the ILR PED, when of course it applies to both. Thank you so much.

Becky O'Brien commented, 11 July 2023 12:38

@... I have also been wondering just how far over the PED learners would need to be for this to kick in. Rules don't give any guidance, so I'd assume even a day? EDIT - actually a more important question is around WHICH date is the key one. Is it practical period or the entire apprenticeship?  The wording is this: 54 We have clarified that the apprenticeship agreement must cover the actual duration of the apprenticeship (e.g. if the apprenticeship is extended, the apprenticeship agreement must also be extended).

1. Apprentice Passed PED

@... I have also been wondering just how far over the PED learners would need to be for this to kick in. Rules don't give any guidance, so I'd assume even a day? EDIT - actually a more important qu...

Becky O'Brien commented, 27 June 2023 15:29

Martin West Thank you. I'm currently at the position of them definitely needing to work toward level 2 as a minimum. Would you say they also need to take the assessments?  

1. FS requirements on L2 App, where IA is high, but no L1 cert

Martin West Thank you. I'm currently at the position of them definitely needing to work toward level 2 as a minimum. Would you say they also need to take the assessments?  

Becky O'Brien commented, 27 June 2023 15:11

Martin West When you say "undertake", do you mean learning, or the full attempt? And which rule/rules are you applying in order to come to that conclusion?

1. FS requirements on L2 App, where IA is high, but no L1 cert

Martin West When you say "undertake", do you mean learning, or the full attempt? And which rule/rules are you applying in order to come to that conclusion?

Becky O'Brien commented, 27 June 2023 15:08

Steve Hewitt Yes, but would they need to attempt level 2? Martin seems to think they would, which was my opinion previously, but I'm looking for chapter & verse where it's stated it's required & not finding it, even though it FEELS right.   *Seeking clarification on Martin's meaning. He didn't state that.  I personally think that they must at least "work toward". I've previously insisted on an attempt at level 2 assessments, but am not sure now. What do you think? 

1. FS requirements on L2 App, where IA is high, but no L1 cert

Steve Hewitt Yes, but would they need to attempt level 2? Martin seems to think they would, which was my opinion previously, but I'm looking for chapter & verse where it's stated it's required & no...

Becky O'Brien commented, 24 February 2023 13:12

Clair Ayling I'll pretend to be Steve H... it was the LSECT Data Conference. I wasn't there, but my manager was. 

1. PDSAT test working papers/sampler 22-23 - live for some?

Clair Ayling I'll pretend to be Steve H... it was the LSECT Data Conference. I wasn't there, but my manager was. 

Becky O'Brien commented, 23 February 2023 16:44

Steve Hewitt  Yes, I'd heard that and should have mentioned in my original post that I don't have a 21-22 version either (PDSAT SQL issues), just 20-21, & I've no idea how similar those are. Anyone got a 21-22 version they'd be kind enough to share?

1. PDSAT test working papers/sampler 22-23 - live for some?

Steve Hewitt  Yes, I'd heard that and should have mentioned in my original post that I don't have a 21-22 version either (PDSAT SQL issues), just 20-21, & I've no idea how similar those are. Anyone...

Becky O'Brien commented, 11 August 2022 12:53

Yes, it has to use 20% so it works for those doing less than 30 hours. 

1. Commitment Statement / Training Plan

Yes, it has to use 20% so it works for those doing less than 30 hours. 

Becky O'Brien commented, 13 July 2022 21:05

Thank you, Philip. I used the number of on programme payments in the Apps Payment report to check and I didn't always get the right result with that - in fact only about a third of the time. However, after some experimentation I came up with the following, which is very similar. I have found this matches the ESFA number  in 100% of the cases on the Apps Payment report. If you want to check that please do. Double-checking is always good. =DATEDIF(EOMONTH({start_date}, 0)+1, {End_date}+1, "m")+1 EOMONTH finds the last date of the month. I could not have done this without your help. I had got somewhat stuck with datedif and adding on ones, but hadn't tried adding one to both dates & the result.   

1. Excel formula for counting number of App on prog instalments?

Thank you, Philip. I used the number of on programme payments in the Apps Payment report to check and I didn't always get the right result with that - in fact only about a third of the time. Howeve...