Maths, numeracy and finance

Maths is a basic, fundamental skill.
Having improved numeracy skills is essential for everyday life and people who do not have a formal Maths qualification can find it hard to get work or progress in their career.
We offer a variety of maths courses for people aged 19 and over who do not already have a level 2 (GCSE equivalent) maths qualification or who want to learn more about using maths in their daily life.
All of our maths courses are free of charge, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Visit our support for learners page for criteria details.
Our class sizes are small and we offer personalised support to help learners achieve their goals.
Students who have not already achieved grade 4 or above in GCSE maths will receive additional help to gain this qualification.
One-to-one support outside lessons is also available for students whose learning has been disrupted.
Course summary
This course is for anybody aged 19+ with no maths qualification or a maths qualification below GCSE level.
You will learn the basics across the three main areas of maths – number, measures and data.
Once you have completed the course, you will be able to move on to a higher level.
This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.
Entry requirements
- Are aged 19 years or older;
- Have been a UK, EU or EEA resident continuously for the previous three years;
- Have the right to live and work in the UK, EU or EEA
- Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas
Curriculum intent
The curriculum intent of Functional Skills maths is for learners to gain knowledge, skills and confidence across the three main areas of maths – number, measures and data.
This will lead to an increase in ability to solve mathematical problems. Each level of Functional Skills maths builds on the previous level up to the completion of a Level 2 qualification.
These qualifications are nationally recognised and can help you to upskill and gain employment.
Initial assessments
- You must sit an assessment to join a maths course
- Assessments are held every Friday between 1pm-3.30pm at the Coleridge Centre. You can also sit the assessment online if you cannot come in-centre. Assessments are not held on bank holidays or during school holidays
- Assessments take approximately 1 hour
- The level at which you join a maths course is dependent on your results of the initial assessment and any previous qualifications you may hold
- You may incur a waiting period in between completing your assessment and starting lessons
Levels
- Entry Level 1
- Entry Level 2
- Entry Level 3
Course content
Entry level
- Basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- The use of numeracy in money
- Rounding and estimation
- Fractions and decimals
- Interpretation of graphs and charts
- Measurement - time, temperature, length, distance, weight and capacity
- 2D and 3D shapes
- The use of perimeter of simple shapes
Time and location
- You will attend one 2 hour lesson per week at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington
- Maths courses are roll on/roll off - there is no set start or end date and you will work at your own pace
- Courses are held on a variety of days and times
Equipment
Please bring:
- a notepad
- a pen (or a digital device) to take notes
- a file to store your work
Cost
This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above. If you do not meet any one of the three criteria listed, you can pay for the course - please contact us on the details below for costs.
Exams
- You must sit a mandatory exams to achieve your qualification
- Exams take place at The Coleridge Centre or Bennet House in Darlington
- Under no circumstances can you sit your exam at home or at any other venue
- Exams for Functional Skills in England are set by the Department for Education in cooperation with national exam boards. There are no nationally set dates and times for functional skills exams, you will only sit an exam after a period of study when your tutor and yourself mutually agree you are exam ready
- Maths exams take approximately two hours to complete
Progression
After this course has finished you may like to progress to the next level in maths which might be a higher Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas.
What do I do next?
Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.
Course summary
This course is for anybody aged 19+ who has a maths qualification below GCSE or has completed an Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 course.
This is a higher level course, so you will build on your existing maths skills to increase your ability in solving mathematical problems and boost your numeracy skills further.
This is an in-person course taught at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington.
Entry requirements
- Are aged 19 years or older;
- Have been a UK, EU or EEA resident continuously for the previous three years;
- Have the right to live and work in the UK, EU or EEA
- Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas
Curriculum intent
The curriculum intent of Functional Skills maths is for learners to gain knowledge, skills and confidence across the three main areas of maths – number, measures and data.
This will lead to an increase in ability to solve mathematical problems.
Each level of Functional Skills maths builds on the previous level up to the completion of a Level 2 qualification.
These qualifications are nationally recognised and can help you to upskill and gain employment.
Initial assessments
- You must sit an assessment to join a maths course
- Assessments are held every Friday between 1pm-3.30pm at the Coleridge Centre. You can also sit the assessment online if you cannot come in-centre. Assessments are not held on bank holidays or during school holidays
- Assessments take approximately 1 hour
- The level at which you join a maths course is dependent on your results of the initial assessment and any previous qualifications you may hold
- You may incur a waiting period in between completing your assessment and starting lessons
Levels
- Level 1 (equivalent to GCSE grade 1-3 / old graded D-G)
- Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade 4 / old grade C)
Course content
- Basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- Ratio, proportion and scale
- Fractions, decimals and percentages
- Money and exchange rates
- Interpretation of graphs and charts
- The use of averages and probability
- Measurement - length, distance, weight and capacity
- The use of perimeter, area and volume of simple and complex shapes, including using formulae
Time and location
- You will attend one 2 hour lesson per week at the Coleridge Centre in Skerne Park, Darlington
- Maths courses are roll on/roll off - there is no set start or end date and you will work at your own pace
- Courses are held on a variety of days and times
Equipment
Please bring:
- a notepad
- a pen (or a digital device) to take notes
- a file to store your work
Cost
This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above. If you do not meet any one of the three criteria listed, you can pay for the course - please contact us on the details below for costs.
Exams
- You must sit a mandatory exams to achieve your qualification
- Exams take place at The Coleridge Centre or Bennet House in Darlington
- Under no circumstances can you sit your exam at home or at any other venue
- Exams for Functional Skills in England are set by the Department for Education in cooperation with national exam boards. There are no nationally set dates and times for functional skills exams, you will only sit an exam after a period of study when your tutor and yourself mutually agree you are exam ready
- Maths exams take approximately two hours to complete
Progression
After this course has finished you may like to progress to the next level in maths which might be a higher Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas.
What do I do next?
Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.
Course summary
This course is for anybody aged 19+ who would like to learn to look after their finances.
You will learn how to start saving, budget your incomings and outgoings, how to improve your credit rating and more.
It is recommended that learners interested in this course have or are working towards an English qualification at GCSE level.
This course will take place online so that you can learn from the comfort of your home.
What entry requirements do I need to start the course?
- Aged 19+
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas
- It is recommended that you currently hold, or are working towards, an English qualification at around GCSE old grade C/new grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 1
What is the curriculum intent of this course?
The course intent is to equip you with the knowledge you may need to start saving, to budget your incomings and outgoings, prioritise needs over wants, how to obtain finance, how to improve your credit rating and more.
What will the course cover?
- Budgeting
- Saving
- Spending
- Financing
- Repayment plans
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could progress onto one of our many other Distance Learning or CPD courses, depending on your pathway of choice. Or you may want to achieve a qualification in Maths, English or ICT. Many free courses will be made available to you at the end of this course.
Where and when will I learn?
- You will learn in your own time to set deadlines
- This course will take place online via our online portal. You will receive your login details during enrolment
What should I bring with me?
- Access to the internet
- Access to an internet-enabled device (PC, Laptop or iPad/Tablet - smart phones are not suitable for this course)
How much will the course cost?
This course is free.
What should I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
Hear from current and former learners on our Functional Skills courses in the video below.
Need more information?
If you have any queries about our maths courses, please do not hesitate to contact us.