Layla M.
Dubai · UAE
Functional Skills Maths L1 and L2
4.9·310 sessions
Pearson Edexcel · Functional Skills
Edexcel Functional Skills Tutors who get results, not excuses.
Functional Skills Maths and English are high-stakes qualifications that many students underestimate. Our vetted Edexcel specialists deliver live 1:1 sessions built around the specific task types, mark schemes, and level demands your child is facing right now.
100+vetted Edexcel-specialist tutors
10+GCC countries served
AED 50/hrstarting price for GCSE-level sessions
Tutors matched in under 10 minutesLive 1:1 sessions, Monday to SaturdayNo enrolment deposit, cancel anytimeParent dashboard with session progress tracking
100+
qualified, vetted Edexcel tutors on the platform
120000
tutoring hours delivered across all curricula
10+
countries with active Talimat students this term
4.7★
average rating on Trustpilot from verified parents
Trusted by families at
GEMS Education Schools
UAE
Dar Al Marefa School
Dubai
Al Ain English Speaking School
Abu Dhabi
British School of Bahrain
Bahrain
Doha College
Qatar
The International School of Choueifat
KSA
Muscat International School
Oman
Al Batinah International School
Oman
Edexcel Functional Skills subjects we cover
Our tutors cover every Functional Skills subject and level offered by Pearson Edexcel, from Entry Level 3 through to the Level 2 certificates that unlock further study and employment pathways.
Functional Skills Maths Level 1
Functional Skills Maths Level 2
Functional Skills English Level 1
Functional Skills English Reading Level 2
Functional Skills English Writing Level 2
Functional Skills English Speaking and Listening Level 2
Functional Skills Maths Entry Level 3
Functional Skills English Entry Level 3
+ ICT Functional Skills available on request
Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills
What are Edexcel Functional Skills?
Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills are practical, applied qualifications in Maths and English recognised across the UK and internationally. They are awarded at Entry Level 1 through to Level 2, with Level 2 broadly equivalent in standing to a GCSE grade 4 pass for progression purposes.
For GCC-based students following a British curriculum pathway, Functional Skills qualifications can serve as a route to IGCSE equivalency or support progression toward A-Levels and vocational programmes. Talimat tutors know exactly how the Edexcel mark scheme rewards applied reasoning, not just rote recall.
E3–L2Levels covered
2 SubjectsMaths and English
100+Vetted Edexcel tutors
Live 1:1Every session format
Why 1:1 tutoring works
Task-type focus
Edexcel Functional Skills tasks require specific applied formats. Tutors drill the exact question styles on each paper section.
Mark scheme fluency
Many students lose marks by misreading what the mark scheme actually rewards. Tutors teach students to answer with precision.
Timed practice
Both Level 1 and Level 2 exams are timed. Tutors run timed mock papers and build exam-day pacing from the first session.
Gap targeting
Tutors identify whether a student's weakest area is fractions, percentage problems, or formal writing, then target it directly.
Free trial · book this weekSecure your child's Edexcel Functional Skills tutor before slots fill up this term.
Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills — Level 1 and Level 2
Two papers. Every task type your child will face drilled before exam day.
The Edexcel Functional Skills assessments split into an on-screen or paper-based format covering both a non-calculator and calculator section for Maths, and Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening components for English. Our tutors work through every task type systematically.
Non-calculator section — Tests mental arithmetic, estimation, and written methods without aids
Calculator section — Applied problem-solving across real-world contexts: budgets, measurements, charts
Reading component — Source-based comprehension and inference tasks across two or more texts
Writing component — Formal and informal writing tasks marked on content, organisation, and accuracy
Speaking and Listening — Group discussion or individual presentation assessed by the tutor centre
How our online classes make Functional Skills click
Every feature of the Talimat platform is built around the live, personal session. Students get more done in 60 minutes online than in a two-hour group class.
Live shared whiteboard
Tutor and student work through Functional Skills tasks on a shared whiteboard in real time, building method step by step.
On-screen mock papers
Tutors upload past Edexcel papers directly into the session. Students practise in exam conditions without leaving the platform.
Annotated mark schemes
Tutors annotate official mark schemes live so students see exactly why an answer earns full marks or drops a mark.
Session recordings
Parents can review recordings of any session via the dashboard, keeping everyone accountable without sitting in on classes.
Parent dashboard
Track session history, homework completion, and topic progress across Maths and English from one parent-facing view.
24/7 academic support
Students can message their Academic Consultant any time between sessions with questions or scheduling requests.
From your first enquiry to your child's first session
We keep the process short and clear. Most families have a matched tutor and a confirmed session time within the same day they contact us.
10 min
Average tutor match time
From enquiry to confirmed tutor
Trusted by families across 10+ GCC countries
Tell us your child's level
Share which Functional Skills level and subject your child is working on, their current performance, and when they prefer to study. The more context you give, the sharper the match.
We match your tutor
Your Academic Consultant selects a shortlist of vetted Edexcel Functional Skills specialists and confirms availability in Gulf Standard Time. You choose the tutor.
Free trial session
Your child attends a free 30-minute trial session with their matched tutor. The tutor runs a short diagnostic and maps out the areas to prioritise.
Structured weekly plan
After the trial, the tutor builds a personalised study plan covering all task types at the right level. Sessions run Monday to Saturday at times that suit your family.
MEET YOUR TUTORS
Edexcel specialists who know every mark scheme detail.
James T.
Riyadh · KSA
Functional Skills English L1 and L2
4.8·275 sessions
Nadia K.
Abu Dhabi · UAE
Functional Skills Maths and English
5.0·198 sessions
Omar F.
Doha · Qatar
Functional Skills Maths L2 and GCSE Maths
4.9·244 sessions
SESSION PLANS
Pick the plan that fits your child's exam timeline.
Foundation
Steady progress for early-stage learners
Ideal for students at Entry Level 3 or beginning Level 1 who need to build confidence in core Maths or English task types.
- Weekly 1:1 session (60 min)
- Personalised study plan
- Homework set each session
- Parent dashboard access
Intensive
Accelerated prep for an upcoming exam
For students sitting a Level 1 or Level 2 paper within 6–10 weeks who need rapid gap-closing and timed mock practice.
- Twice-weekly 1:1 sessions (60 min each)
- Full mock paper with tutor feedback
- Mark scheme training
- Priority tutor access
Exam Sprint
Final push in the four weeks before exam day
Designed for students who need focused, high-frequency practice across every task type with detailed post-mock analysis.
- Three sessions per week
- Full past paper under timed conditions
- Detailed mark breakdown per question
- 24/7 Academic Consultant access
PARENT STORIES
Families who found a better way to get through Functional Skills
We hear from a lot of families who tried to sort Functional Skills on their own before reaching out. Here is what they said after their child started working with a Talimat tutor.
My son had been sitting the Level 2 Maths paper twice already. After the first session with his tutor, I could see the difference in how he approached the questions. He passed the third attempt with marks to spare, and we did not have to drive anywhere.
Outcome: Level 2 Maths passed on third attempt after six weeks of weekly sessions.
RH
Rania H.
Jumeirah · son resitting Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
I did not realise how specific the English Writing mark scheme is until the tutor walked my daughter through it in the first session. She had been losing marks on things she could fix easily. Three weeks later she sat the paper and passed first time.
Outcome: Level 2 English passed first attempt after targeted Writing task work.
MS
Mona S.
Dubai Hills · daughter, Level 2 English
The tutor figured out in the trial that my son was losing half his marks on the calculator section, not the non-calculator part. We would never have spotted that ourselves. He has his Level 2 now and is moving on to his vocational programme.
Outcome: Calculator-section weakness identified in trial. Level 2 Maths achieved within two months.
TA
Tariq A.
Riyadh · son, Level 2 Maths resit
Scheduling was the thing that stopped us trying earlier. We thought we would have to drive across Dubai twice a week. Booking a session around dinner time on a Tuesday from home has been completely fine for us.
Outcome: Flexible evening slots mean no commute and no disruption to the school week.
HB
Hessa B.
Al Barsha · two children on Functional Skills programmes
TALIMAT VS TUTORING CENTRES
Why families switch from centres to Talimat for Functional Skills prep.
Compare
Local tutoring centre
Talimat online
Session format
Group class, 4-10 students
Live 1:1 with a dedicated Edexcel specialist
Tutor knowledge
General English and Maths tutor
Vetted specifically for Functional Skills mark schemes
Scheduling
Fixed centre timetable
Monday to Saturday, Gulf Standard Time, you choose the slot
Commute
20-40 mins each way
Zero, sessions run from home
Progress visibility
Verbal updates at pick-up
Full parent dashboard with session notes and homework
Price
Often higher per hour for group tuition
Starting from AED 50/hr, no enrolment deposit
Cancellation
Often requires notice periods or forfeits
Cancel anytime, no hidden fees
Frequently Asked Questions: Edexcel Functional Skills Tutoring
These are the questions GCC families ask us most often before booking their first Functional Skills session. If yours is not here, contact us and your Academic Consultant will reply the same day.
Level 1 covers foundational applied skills in Maths and English, roughly equivalent to GCSE grades 1-3. Level 2 demands greater depth, multi-step reasoning, and formal writing accuracy, broadly equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 pass for progression purposes.
Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills Level 2 is widely accepted as equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 in Maths or English for the purposes of further education and employment entry requirements in the UK and many international institutions.
Students based in the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman, and other GCC countries can sit Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills exams through approved Pearson test centres in their country. Your Academic Consultant can advise on the nearest approved centre.
Session numbers vary by level and starting point. A student targeting Level 2 with a solid Level 1 foundation typically needs 8-12 focused sessions. Students starting from Entry Level 3 may need a longer programme. The tutor sets a clear plan after the diagnostic trial.
Yes. Talimat has vetted tutors covering Functional Skills Maths at all levels and Functional Skills English across Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening. Some tutors cover both subjects; others specialise in one.
Level 2 Maths covers number, measures, shape and space, data handling, and algebra in applied, real-world contexts.<br>The exam splits into a non-calculator section and a calculator section. Students must demonstrate reasoning across multi-step problems, not just arithmetic.
The tutor runs a short diagnostic in the first session, working through past paper questions to identify exactly which task types and skill areas are costing marks. A written summary is shared with parents via the dashboard after the session.
Yes. Talimat students can join at any point in the academic year. The tutor adjusts the plan based on time remaining before the exam and the student's current level. There is no requirement to start at the beginning of a fixed course.
All Talimat tutors hold a relevant degree in their subject area and pass a 14-step vetting process. Functional Skills tutors have specific experience teaching the Pearson Edexcel mark scheme and are based across the GCC.
Sessions run Monday to Saturday in Gulf Standard Time. Evening slots from 5pm onwards are available and popular with school-age students. Weekend morning slots fill quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.
The free trial is a 30-minute live 1:1 session with your matched tutor. The tutor runs a brief diagnostic, explains their approach, and sets the first session plan. There is no charge and no commitment required.
There is no long-term contract and no minimum number of sessions. You can cancel anytime. There is no enrolment deposit and no hidden fees. Families typically book in blocks of sessions for convenience, but this is not required.
What parents should know before Functional Skills prep begins
Functional Skills qualifications look straightforward on paper. In practice, many students struggle because the exams test applied reasoning under timed conditions, not textbook knowledge. A 1:1 tutor changes the outcome by targeting the exact task types where marks are being dropped.
Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills Maths and English are applied qualifications, meaning every question is set in a real-world context. Students are not asked to recall a formula in isolation. They are asked to use it to solve a budgeting problem, interpret a chart, or write a formal letter to a specific audience.
For GCC families following a British curriculum pathway, these qualifications matter. A Level 2 pass in both Maths and English can satisfy entry requirements for A-Level programmes, vocational courses, and some university pathways where a full IGCSE has not been achieved or needs to be supplemented.
The most common reason students fail is not a lack of ability. It is unfamiliarity with what the mark scheme actually rewards. Edexcel markers look for specific evidence of method, not just a correct final answer. A tutor who knows the mark scheme teaches students to answer with that in mind from the very first practice question.
Key takeaways
- Level 2 is broadly equivalent to GCSE grade 4 for progression purposes
- Both Maths and English exams test applied reasoning, not rote recall
- Mark scheme knowledge is the single biggest lever for score improvement
- GCC students can sit exams at approved Pearson centres in the UAE, KSA, and Qatar
- A tutor diagnostic in session one identifies exactly where marks are being lost
DIFFERENT QUALIFICATION?
We also tutor for
Book your child's free Functional Skills trial today
Tell us the level and subject, and we will match your child with a vetted Edexcel specialist for a free 30-minute diagnostic session.
What your child gets in the free trial session
No payment required, no commitment to continue. Just a clear picture of where your child stands and what to do next.
- Diagnostic assessment of current Functional Skills level
- Identification of the task types costing the most marks
- Introduction to the Talimat online learning platform
- A personalised session plan ready to start immediately
This term only
Book your free trial this week and your Academic Consultant will hold your preferred tutor slot while you decide. No deposit, cancel anytime.