Colleges, Industrial action

AoC refuses to make college pay proposal

Membership body says any recommendation currently will be ‘an insult to the hard-working staff’

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
level 2, Qualifications

Approval process for future level 2 qualifications unveiled

The government’s new “employer-led” approval process for level 2 qualifications to be taught from 2025 has been published

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Department for Education, Industrial action

Ofsted inspectors and senior DfE officials to ballot for strike action

FDA union announces first national strike ballot over pay in over 40 years

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Colleges, Maths

One-year cash settlement for advanced maths premium amid policy changes

ESFA confirms extra funding for providers losing £20,000 or more in premium funding for one year only

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Ofsted

University-run apprenticeship provider hit with Ofsted ‘inadequate’

University of Bolton makes one of its deans new chief executive for its apprenticeship provider business

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
News

What’s actually new in Sunak’s maths to 18 (re)announcement?

The prime minister sets out new expert group, £6k FE teacher cash offer and extended maths hubs in bid…

Amy Walker
Amy Walker


News

Sunak’s maths to 18 expert advisory group revealed

They include an architect of the national curriculum, a former Ofqual boss and the CEO of a credit card…

Amy Walker
Amy Walker
Apprenticeships

Five join register of flexi-job apprenticeship agencies after failed bids reconsidered

Five organisations pass new financial sustainability assessment to join register

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
T Levels

DfE seeks another contractor to help boost T Level employer placements

Two-year contract will see organisation engage with private and public sector employers to host T Level placements

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Ofsted

Insurance apprenticeship provider censured for heavy focus on industry qualifications

Ofsted raises concerns over Apex Management Consultants’ engagement with employers

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Colleges

The Bedford College Group announces new chief executive

Barnsley College chief executive Yiannis Koursis will take over from Ian Pryce in January 2024

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
News

DfE offers £3.9m for contractor to help on education climate action plans

Provider will recruit ‘expert’ volunteers to offer schools and colleges advice on meeting government’s new climate change strategy requirements

Amy Walker
Amy Walker

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