Training Providers

Firm that took over Learndirect goes bust

New owners have failed to secure enough skills contracts to clear ‘significant liabilities’

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges

Revealed: Brooklands College resizing plans to ensure ‘financial security’

The college has been fighting for survival since being stung by a £20m apprenticeship scandal in 2019

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Politics

Andrea Jenkyns: 12 facts about the new skills, further and higher education minister

We delve into the facts about new skills, FE and HE minister Andrea Jenkyns

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Skills reform

Doubt cast on government skills reform plan by public spending watchdogs

The National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee outline concerns over whether skills reform plans will work.

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Politics

Andrea Jenkyns named skills, further and higher education minister

She joined the DfE in the reshuffle by outgoing prime minister Boris Johnson

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Exams

‘Stressful and exhausting’: Ofqual report exposes teacher grade woes

Survey also shows over half of teachers felt pressured to change their grades last year by either leaders or…

Samantha Booth
Samantha Booth


Long read, T Levels

Focus feature: T Levels two years on

Teething problems and tweaks notwithstanding, FE providers are unexpectedly positive about the biggest new technical and vocational qualifications in…

Jess Staufenberg
Jess Staufenberg
Colleges

Mega London college group gives staff another ‘landmark’ pay rise

‘We had to find a difficult balance between what we can afford and what is fair’

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

September 2022 Ofsted inspection changes: What FE providers need to know

Colleges will receive a new ‘sub-judgment’ on how well they are contributing to skills needs

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Freddie Whittaker
Adult education

Adult education is helping keep Ukrainian people strong

The Ukrainian Adult Education Association outlines efforts of educators in defence against Russian invasion.

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Colleges

Police will not investigate Burnley College over Christmas party that broke Covid rules

The college was found to have broken Covid safety rules after teacher’s death

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Skills reform

Transparency concerns build over level 3 review ‘independent assessors’

Names of the 6 experts revealed but questions over their experience and evidence base remain

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

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
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Adult education

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets

Combined authorities told to expect reductions in ‘already deeply diminished’ adult skills funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen