Apprenticeships

Struggling Babington joins Paragon Skills at Knovia Group

Takeover comes as Babington faces hefty government clawback and ‘worsening’ financial position

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

Nearly two-thirds think Ofsted reforms are worse, ‘alternative’ consultation finds

Survey launched by Ofsted critics finds 90% of respondents said five-point grading system not fit for purpose

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Lydia Chantler-Hicks
SEND

‘Worry’ over as doomed SEND college is saved by Big Issue

The ‘outstanding’ college feared closure after an eviction notice from Hounslow Council

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Colleges, Ofsted

Shrewsbury College celebrates ‘outstanding’ Ofsted result

Landmark inspection outcome achieved just 5 years after the sixth form group controversially received the lowest possible grade

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Politics

Lady Spielman and Lord Gove: Tories confirm peerages

Two former education secretaries have been given gongs

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Colleges

Unions demand 10% pay rise amid looming strike threat

This year’s AoC negotiations will also include measures to tackle “impossible” workloads

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor


Colleges

Weston College governance failure allowed ‘concealment’ of £2.5m payments to former principal

Paul Phillips was paid £1.8m in 2023, including a ‘significant’ six-figure retention payment which his COO son ‘resisted’ paying…

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
DfE

DfE seeks job share director to oversee T Levels and level 3 reforms

It’s the second senior skills role to be shared by two people announced in recent months

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Colleges

Luminate boss to retire

National leader of FE Colin Booth to step down from Luminate Education Group after 40 years in education

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
skills

Ministers funding LSIPs until at least September

Recommissioning of bodies responsible for the plans will take place later this year

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Colleges

Creating ESOL courses isn’t ‘voluntary work’, says tribunal

Tribunal notes ‘significant failure of HR’ for lack of communication with hourly paid staff

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
T Levels

T Levels for adults ‘under review’ amid ‘very little interest’

Only one college recruited a standalone group of adults

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission

Deprived areas need vision – not victimhood – to level up, and Social Mobility Commission chair Alun Francis is…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Long read, Prison education

The prison that’s offering hope for a new life upon release

‘We’re saving people’s lives as well as turning them around’

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Apprenticeships, Politics

Phillipson to exempt young people from level 7 apprenticeships funding axe

Education secretary makes ‘important concession’ amid backlash from other government departments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges, FE Commissioner

Weston chair felt powerless over £2.5m payments to former principal

Ex-Weston college chair gives tell-all interview following FE Commissioner probe

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges

Weston College governance failure allowed ‘concealment’ of £2.5m payments to former principal

Paul Phillips was paid £1.8m in 2023, including a ‘significant’ six-figure retention payment which his COO son ‘resisted’ paying…

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
T Levels

NAO reveals enormity of T Level take-up failure

Forecasts missed by 75% and secret DfE estimates show staff and employer shortages could limit places to 48,000 students

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel