Key Skills

If students are taking a qualification in Key Skills as part of their post-16 programme then the process of completing their coursework in Science for Public Understanding provides excellent opportunities to gather evidence for their portfolios.

SPU students at North Westminster School The coursework tasks together contribute most readily to portfolio evidence for 'Communication', 'Improving own learning and performance', and 'Problem solving'.

Possible contributions to 'Application of number' and 'Information technology' depend on the choice of topical issue, on how any numerical data is dealt with, and on how students choose to present their work.

Key skills tutors may suggest additional tasks which are not a requirement of the Advanced Subsidiary assessment. For example, they might expect students to make an oral presentation of some of their research findings to others in the group for 'Communication'. Such additional tasks add depth and quality to students' work without disruption as long as they are planned from the start.

Here are some questions and answers from teachers about key skills.