Employment

Benefits crackdown to reduce NEETs

But the measures risk undermining work to support young people into jobs, experts warn

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Curriculum and assessment review, Politics, Skills reform

Interim curriculum review: GCSE resit rules need ‘greater nuance’

Initial report also backs T Levels as ‘gold standard’ but says other vocational options are needed

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

Four ‘outstanding’ reports in a row for Huddersfield sixth form college

Students had ‘exemplary’ attendance and ‘eager to learn’ attitudes

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges, Ofsted

Cornwall College marks turnaround with ‘historic’ Ofsted result

Group celebrates ‘extraordinary’ 10-year journey with the highest praise from inspectors

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Skills England, Skills reform

‘Let’s get off on the right foot with Skills England’, ex-IfATE boss pleads

Rob Nitsch talks about the ‘adversarial launch’ of the quango and how it contributed to its downfall

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Devolution, Employment, Kickstart

Mayors reboot Kickstart scheme for employment score

With nearly a million young people now classed as not in education, employment or training, mayors are revamping a…

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor


Colleges

Former Middlesbrough College principal and deputy FE commissioner remembered

John Hogg played a ‘transformational’ role in FE, colleagues have said

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Colleges, Ofsted

Coventry College recovers after three consecutive ‘requires improvements’

Inspectors praised ‘substantial improvements’ to education quality as leaders consider re-starting apprenticeships

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Apprenticeships, Colleges

Colleges want to bring apprentice assessment in-house to ease delays

AoC claims large numbers are waiting 3 months or longer – but EPAO representative questions figures

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Apprenticeships, Politics, Skills reform

Employers losing patience on apprenticeship levy reform

Comes as minister warns of fiscal restraints forcing ‘tough decisions’

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Apprenticeships, Politics

Minister clams up on level 6 funding as front benches clash in heated debate

Shadow minister slams ‘absolutely unreal’ lack of clarity on non-apprenticeship levy funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Higher education

OfS won’t unfreeze register and degree awarding functions until August

Regulator halted functions to prioritise struggling university finances

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

Must read

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
Adult education, ITPs

Mayors dump adult education cuts on independent training providers

Up to two-thirds axed from devolved procured budgets

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor