Long read

Attending to the problem

Exclusive data reveals student absenteeism has got worse across further education since the Covid lockdowns – but colleges are…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Skills bootcamps

Bootcamp provider in whistleblower probe collapses

‘I’m not one of these cowboys who treat people like dirt’

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
Ofsted

Joyce’s interim replacement at Ofsted revealed

Senior skills inspector steps into FE deputy director role temporarily

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
T Levels

DfE revises 2023-24 T Level pass rates

Updated analysis also reveals league table of T Level results at provider level for first time

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship achievement rates 2023-24: what you need to know

Most large providers improve, while some achievement gaps between learner groups got wider

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen


Apprenticeships

‘Fantastic result’: Apprenticeship achievement rate hits 60.5%

Minister heaps praise on providers as the apprentice drop out rate also significantly reduces

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Sponsored post

Skills Bootcamps Are Changing – What FE Colleges Must Know 

Skills Bootcamps are evolving as funding moves to local control and digital skills trends shift. Code Institute, an Ofsted…

Code Institute
Code Institute
Budget 2025

Spring statement 2025: What the chancellor announced for FE

Adult education and skills could be hit by ‘another £200m’ in cuts in coming years, expert warns

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Apprenticeships

DfE ditches draft apprenticeship funding rules

Expert fears ‘vital contributions’ from front line staff will be missed

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges, Skills reform

‘New ways of doing FE’ inquiry: Experts give evidence to MPs

‘I actually don’t think we know how well the resit policy is benefiting young people,’ committee hears

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

DfE shaves £500m off T Levels spending

Huge cost adjustment caused by low student numbers, DfE claims

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

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