Apprenticeships, Colleges, Subcontracting

FE faces ‘double edged sword’ as Procurement Act hikes risk of litigation

Experts warn of subcontracting trouble

Joshua Stein
Joshua Stein
Ofsted

Ofsted grades changed for 5 FE providers last year after challenges

Complaints about FE inspections have also doubled since 2018

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

College’s traineeship learners worked illegal hours, DfE audit finds

‘Substantial’ clawback on the cards after security and rail trainee debacle revealed

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges

Ex-college principal banned from education

Former Hadlow boss to be fined £250k if he breaches agreement with liquidators, while deputy secures ‘confidential’ deal

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges

College enrolment: Influx of resitters and 16-19s as HE and adults drop

We look at the latest data for 2023/24

Joshua Stein
Joshua Stein
Skills bootcamps

‘Risk averse’ colleges avoid skills bootcamps

Two-thirds haven’t touched the flagship government programme yet, data suggests

Joshua Stein
Joshua Stein


social mobility

College principal confirmed as permanent Social Mobility Commission chair

Alun Francis has been interim chair since Katharine Birbalsingh resigned in January

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
LSIPs

Revealed: Colleges scoop £165m local skills improvement fund

DfE green lights employer-backed skills projects led by colleges

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges, strike, UCU

Half of colleges set to strike abandon action

15 colleges still plan to hit the picket line next week

Joshua Stein
Joshua Stein
Adult education, Training Providers

‘Non-evaluators’ downgraded AEB tender score, LCG claim

Fresh allegations emerge following ‘voluntary disclosure’ of AEB procurement documents

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Ofsted

Lee Owston to become Ofsted national director for education

Current deputy director for schools and education will replace Chris Russell in January

Amy Walker
Amy Walker
News

IfATE adds two new board members

Mark McClennon and Jane Hadfield to join institute as two members step down

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
16-19

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Qualifications

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Politics, Skills reform

DWP will take over apprenticeships, minister confirms

Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships policy will give “bigger emphasis on skills”, Jacqui Smith claims

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel