Ofsted

Students ‘not disadvantaged by their SEND’ at ‘outstanding’ college

Royal College Manchester celebrates ‘exceptional achievement’ following glowing Ofsted report

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

EPAOs removed from APAR

Assessment organisations no longer feature on the DfE’s apprenticeship provider register to reduce regulatory burden

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

‘All or nothing’ T Levels need reform, says incoming Ofqual chief

Exam regulator’s interim boss outlines reasons behind slow take up and ‘worryingly’ high drop out rate

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

Ofsted to review the use of AI in schools and colleges

DfE commissions watchdog to examine how providers use AI to ‘support teaching and learning’ and manage admin

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
English and maths

OECD finds ‘significant improvements’ in young adults English and maths

Younger adults drive improvements in literacy and numeracy rates over the last decade in England

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges, Ofsted

Hampshire college judged ‘outstanding’ for third time running

Inspectors praised the college’s ‘expertly designed training’ and ‘high-performing culture’

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor


Ofsted

National hairdressing provider bumped up to ‘outstanding’

Inspectors commend curriculum at Francesco Group’s hair salons for going beyond apprenticeship requirements

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Susan Tranter appointed Ofqual chair

Academy trust CEO takes over from interim chair Frances Wadsworth

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Colleges, Long read

Hullraisers taking college from underdog to top dog

Principal Debra Gray built a team that pulled Hull College out of intervention – and now draws on city…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Apprenticeships

Can sector ‘fast track’ apprentices to help build 1.5m new homes?

Investment from construction industry training providers promises to boost the workforce

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
News

2024 Good for Me Good for FE award winners revealed

Eight winners from FE colleges unveiled at glitzy awards ceremony at the House of Lords

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Adult education, skills

Fears of adult education desert amid cost-cut plans

Councils closing the centres blame low learner numbers and changes to funding rules

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor

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