About the Quality Mark

What are Basic Skills?

Basic Skills are defined as:

'The ability to read, write and speak in English and/or in Welsh and use mathematics at a level necessary to function and progress at work and in society in general.'

Without good communication, literacy and mathematical skills, individuals are severly disadvantaged throughout their lives as learners, in the workplace and as parents, consumers and citizens.

In England, 'functional skills' will increasingly become the terminology in general use, in line with 14-19 curriculum reform. The generic definition of functional skills is those core elements of English, mathematics and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that provide each pupil with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operte confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work. In English, this means that each pupil is confident and capable when using the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing and is able to communicate effectively, adapting to a range of audiences and contexts. In mathematics this means that each pupil has sufficient understanding of a range of mathematical concepts and is able to know how and when to use them.

Underattainment and underachievement

The terms underattainment and underachievement are used in some Secondary Quality Mark elements.

Underattainment means where a pupil performs in literacy and/or mathematics at a lower level than the attainment expected for a pupil of their age.

Underachievement means where a pupil performs at a lower level than their potential. An underachiever may be a high attaining pupil who does less well than their potential.

The national agenda

The Secondary Quality Mark complements and supports the principles underpinning the national strategies, the inspection frameworks and the drive to improve standards in literacy and mathematics in both England and Wales. In England, it is also consistent with 14-19 Reform and the Every Child Matters agenda

Benefits of the Secondary Quality Mark

A school working towards the award will find that it adds value to its current teaching and learning in basic skills across the curriculum, as well as in English and/or Welsh and mathematics. The Secondary Quality Mark promotes and supports improved outcomes for learners.

The Secondary Quality Mark is inclusive award as it can be achieved by all types and sizes of secondary schools. It can be used as a supportive improvement framework for those needing to address issues of underattainment and/or underachivement in basic skills, or as an external validation and recognition of good practice and progress in basic skills.

The process of rigourous self- evaluation, followed by action planning and regular review to identify impact, is a key strength of the award. Secondary Quality Mark work will complement and help to intergrate other initiatives being undertaken to improve basic skills.

Each school controls the timescale for making its submission. The length of time taken to achieve accreditation will vary according to a school's starting point and its capacity to demonstrate progress.

All staff will be involved in helping to achieve a Secondary Quality Mark but there are particular continuing professional development (CPD) benefits for middle and senior leaders and managers. They can develop and employ generic leadership and management skills such as auditing, action planning, monitoring and evaluating, in a practical context and with a tangible outcome.

Governing bodies will find that work undertaken to achieve and sustain a Secondary Quality Mark offers a pratical context in which to monitor and evaluate the quality of provision and educational standards in their schools. This will demonstrate how governors are actively carrying out their 'critical friend' role and offers oppurtunities to work with staff.

Achieving a Secondary Quality Mark offers valuable public recognition and 'a pat on the back' for staff for their day to day work of teaching literacy and mathematics. It celebrates the work of the whole school community in making progress in improving the quality of its provision for basic skills. Parents and employers will appreciate that holding a Secondary Quality Mark demonstrates that the school has a strong focus on ensuring pupils leave equipped with the basic skills needed to function and progress in their future working lives.

A further benefit of working towards the award is that it encourages networking to share good practice in basic skills.