City & Guilds: multi‑device Maths and English elearning for modern learners
Accessible, real‑world digital resources that re‑engage young adults and help them progress in Maths and English.
The challenge
City & Guilds faced a familiar challenge in further education: supporting 16–25‑year‑olds who had missed out on Maths and English qualifications at school and often felt disengaged or demotivated by previous learning experiences.
The task was to create online resources that could re‑ignite confidence and interest—materials that were accessible, relevant to everyday life and suitable for both independent study and classroom support. The content couldn’t assume high reading ages, needed to work seamlessly on mobile, and had to meet learners where they are, not where traditional education expects them to be.
The solution
To re-engage learners who had struggled with traditional education, we used a simple, intuitive learning model: See It, Try It, Test It. This approach helped learners first understand key concepts, then explore them more deeply, and finally check their knowledge through short assessments.
The model also allowed us to tailor the learning journey to different ability levels. For Entry Level 1 and 2 learners, short audio-led animations and videos brought concepts to life in an accessible, confidence-building way. For those working towards Level 1 and 2, tutorials were kept concise and easy to read, with optional audio support and scenario-based activities to stretch understanding.
This structure ensured every learner, regardless of reading age, confidence or past experience, could engage, progress and succeed.
The results
This approach proved highly effective for both the subject matter and the needs of the learners. The flexibility of the resource types, combined with a clear learning model, meant we could target each learner’s ability directly without content feeling too easy or too difficult.
By the end of the project, we had created 85 resources across two subject areas and five qualification levels, including videos, animations, tutorials and scenarios. These are now used by learners studying for a wide range of apprenticeships and qualifications in centres across the UK, as well as by the tutors who support them.
This work has contributed to the modernisation of functional skills teaching and helped make Maths and English more appealing and accessible for a young, tech‑savvy generation.
