Colleges

It’s not only Leeds and Manchester desperate for demographic boom help, say leaders

The number of 16 to 18-year-olds is projected to rise by 20 per cent between 2017 and 2028

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Apprenticeships

Kaplan tops apprenticeship revenue charts as level 7 verdict looms

QA and Multiverse also rose up the ranks in 2022-23, according to data finally released this week

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

Ofsted looks at renaming new ‘secure’ grade

But expert warns: ‘It’s not that word, it’s the structure of the grading system’

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Politics

Oli de Botton appointed ‘expert adviser’ to Starmer on skills

Former headteacher will leave role at the Careers and Enterprise Company this month

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Colleges

Ofsted: Schools and colleges must improve ‘poor’ careers advice

Most college students can’t remember what careers guidance they had in school

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Higher education

Trainee teachers dumped in cafes and shops for work placements 

Applied Business Academy liquidated before facing ‘significant penalties’

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen


Ofsted

‘Inadequate’ blow for newcomer to care home manager training

Franhen Consultancy’s apprenticeship funding contract now hangs in the balance

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

AQA buys Construction EPA Company

Exam body expands further into vocational training space

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges

Revealed: £302m college condition allocations

DfE also dishes out additional £20m to Leeds and Greater Manchester to help manage student population surge

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
AI

AI tool for electronics teaching developed by ex-IfATE board member

The tool was funded through a competition for AI tools that could save teachers time

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
WorldSkills UK

WorldSkills UK names squad for Shanghai 2026

Over 80 students and apprentices will undergo intense training to prepare for WorldSkills Shanghai

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Adult education, Devolution

‘Back door devolution’ as 11 councils get extra procurement powers

But not all councils are aware of the DfE’s plans

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