Flexible Essential Skills Programme - online Maths and English
Join us on the first step to a Level 2 qualification that is accepted by the vast majority of colleges and universities in Wales as an equivalent to GCSE A-C grade in Mathematics OR English Language.
The course focuses on the wide range of reading, writing and verbal communication OR on the wide range of numeracy skills required to achieve the qualification.
For further info call 03300 580845 / 02920 382431 and ask about the Flexible Essential Skills programme or to speak to Sian Williams.
Level 2 Essential Application of Number Skills and / or Level 2 Essential Communication Skills.
Click here to view the Essential Skills Wales handbook.
Key Contacts
For further info call 03300 580845 / 02920 382431 and ask about the Flexible Essential Skills programme or to speak to Sian Williams.
Sian Williams – Flexible Essential Skills Programme facilitator Sian.williams@adultlearning.wales
Sarah O’Connell Jones – North Wales Regional Manager with responsibility for the Flexible Essential Skills Programme Sarah.o’connelljones@adultlearning.wales
Or visit the course profile and enrol online.
Step by Step – how the Flexible Essential Skills Programme works
Step 1 – Enrol on the programme
Step 2 – You will be supported to complete the Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST) assessment. The WEST Assessment is a short online test that helps us to determine your current level and to then assign you to the right level programme for you.
Step 3 – You will be supported to start self-led online learning activities to help you progress up to a level 2 standard.
You can work at your own pace and support is always available.
The Flexible Essential Skills facilitator Sian Williams will check in with you regularly to discuss progress, answer questions etc.
All you will need is a computer or mobile device to enable you to access the learning platform.
If this isn’t suitable for you, we can link you to online or face to face essential skills courses where you can build your skills.
Step 4 – Once you are working at level 2 standard you will be able to progress to a tutor led online course where you start preparing for the;
Level 2 Essential Application of Number Skills
Level 2 Essential Communication Skills
You will be contacted by the Flexible Essential Skills Facilitator to discuss options and linked to the right course for you.
You will be made aware of the dates for the classroom-based exams, and you will be booked to attend the most suitable venue to sit your tests.
Qualification information
Completion of the self-led course does not result in a recognised qualification.
Completion of the tutor-led course does enable you to sit the exams for the qualifications
Level 2 Essential Application of Number Skills (available in Welsh and English) and / or
Level 2 Essential Communication Skills
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements to start your Essential Skills learner journey with us.
However to be able to start the tutor led element of the Flexible Essential Skills Programme and sit the exams you must be working at Level 2 standard.
Career Path
- Level 2 Essential Application of Number Skills
- Level 2 Essential Communication Skills
What Do I Need?
As this is an online course, you would need the following:
- internet access
- access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
- use of the Chrome web-browser where possible
Please note that our online courses require the use of Microsoft Office 365 apps and our virtual learning environment, Moodle. Once enrolled on a course with us, we provide free access to these services.
As this is an online course, you will need the following:
- access to a laptop or computer with a camera, microphone and headphones; internet access
Frequently Asked Questions
On our website Adult Learning Wales
Contact the Flexible Essential Skills facilitator. Email: sian.williams@adultlearning.wales or telephone 02920 382431
You can contact Sian Williams the Flexible Essential Skills facilitator who would be happy to discuss your options and support you with the enrolment process.
The courses are part funded by the Welsh Government. Costs will depend on your personal or work circumstances.
Contact Sian Williams the Flexible Essential Skills facilitator for further information.
Self-led learning means that you can choose when to do the activities at a time to suit you.
You do need to try and book time in each week though so that you can progress.
Tutor led online learning means you will join an online class led by an ESW tutor. You will be linked to the tutor-led online class that best suits you.
WEST is the Wales Essential Skills Toolkit
It was designed to be a simple and easy to use way for learners to assess their Essential Skills level.
In addition, WEST has lots of activities designed to help learners improve their skills.
When you complete your initial assessment WEST will show what level you are working at, where you want to get to and will choose learning activities that are perfect for you. If your target level is set too low contact Sian Williams to adjust this for you.
All your self-led learning on WEST is helping you improve your skills.
The initial assessment (WEST) helps us clarify what level you are working at, in order to put you onto the correct course.
We know that initial assessments can be a worry – but please be assured your results are private and are there to help us ensure you have the best possible experience and support.
It would be a good idea to allocate one hour for this for each subject.
Therefore, if you want to be assessed in maths (Application of Number Skills) and English (Communication Skills) then allocate 2 hours.
It may well take less time.
The Level 2 Essential Application of Number Skills and the Level 2 Essential Communication Skills qualifications do require the learners to complete controlled tasks and a confirmatory test face to face in exam conditions.
You will be well prepared and have many opportunities to practice reducing nerves.
We do understand that not everyone wants to do a test – so if this isn’t the option for you, we can link you to face to face and / or online courses where you can focus on your skills without preparing for a test – if you change your mind, you can always be linked back to the Flexible Essential Skills programme.
Please contact the Flexible Essential Skills Facilitator (Sian Williams) she can support you every step of the way and we may be able to loan you a device to use during your studies.
Many learners have been a bit nervous about online learning but with support you will soon get the hang of it.
Many of our learner tell us how helpful it is to be able to access their learning from home and not have to travel.
If you assess at level 2 on WEST you can go straight to join the tutor led courses preparing for the test. Though you can do some self-led learning activities first if you would prefer.
If your initial assessment outcome shows you are already at level 2 you can join the tutor led online courses straight away. You will have to take part in the tutor led sessions to prepare for the test – attending at least 80% of the course. You will not be able to sit the exam without taking part in these sessions first.
You can start at any point in the year – as you will be doing the self-led online learning first.
The tutor led courses which are aimed at ensuring you are ready for your exams start at the beginning of each term – so in September, Jan and April.
The exams take place at the end of each term so in December/January, March/April and June/July.
Sometimes learners do fail their tests.
If you fail the test first time you will be supported to do a resit test. Another option is to link back into the online preparation course so you can work on improvements before sitting the tests again.
We will support you every step of the way.
This will depend on your starting point, for some the on-line phase will be nothing more than a brush up but for others it may take longer. We want you to pass first time so progression to the test preparation phase of learning will take longer for some than others. Typically, you can expect to undergo 40 hours of tutor-led online learning and 10 hours of classroom-based test preparation.
If you forget your log in details contact Sian Williams the Flexible Essential Skills facilitator who will be able to help you.
This is a mixture of self-led online learning, through the on-line Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST) and tutor led online learning. The purpose of the tutor-led learning is to prepare you for the formal tests associated with the Essential Skills Wales qualifications in Essential Application of Number Skills (Maths) or Essential Communication Skills (English).
Our flexible test regime means you can sit the tests at various times throughout the year- and at test centres across Wales.
All the tests must be marked and then go through Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) so there can be a period of time before you are informed of your results.
We appreciate that learners want to know as soon as possible, so we do everything possible to pass on the results quickly to our learners.
This is a Level 2 qualification that is accepted by most colleges and universities in Wales as an equivalent to GCSE A-C grade in Mathematics.
This is a Level 2 qualification that is accepted by most colleges and universities in Wales as an equivalent to GCSE A-C grade in English Language.
Yes please make contact with Sian Williams the Flexible Essential Skills facilitator who will be able to help you.
Feedback from our learners
Learner Niquita Mace says, “I would recommend both courses to anyone who is looking to go on to further study. The advice and support you are given does help and I'm happy that I have achieved the grades I was given. Hard work does pay off!”
Read more about Niquita. Click here.
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