News

Legal risk to providers over lack of non-binary options

Providers are warning they face “massive” legal and reputational risk because the Education and Skills Funding Agency continues to…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

UCU fires warning shot over use of recorded lessons

A data protection expert has urged colleges to revise their privacy agreements after a union raised concerns about the…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Mystery surrounds departure of experienced principal

An experienced principal has been mysteriously replaced following an FE Commissioner check-up. Andy Forbes (pictured top) left City of…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
Ofsted

Ofsted launches review into ‘very poor’ prison education

Ofsted and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons are launching a review into the “very poor state” of prison education….

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

‘Alarming’ lack of BAME students in first year of T Levels

Black, Asian and minority ethnic students were “alarmingly” under-represented in the first year of T Levels, FE Week can…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

WorldSkills UK finals to take place at venues across the country

More than 400 students and apprentices will take part in 64 skills competitions around the country for the WorldSkills UK national…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon


News

No colleges to get CO2 monitors for at least three weeks

The Department for Education cannot say when colleges will get promised carbon dioxide monitors after the first delivery schedule…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
AEB

ESFA accused of ‘hidden agenda’ as AEB providers reveal ‘horrendous’ bid rejections

The government has been accused of using the adult education budget tender process to “manoeuvre its hidden agenda” of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

‘Indefensible’: No national insurance help for colleges despite support for schools

The government will not compensate colleges for national insurance contribution increases even though it is helping schools, FE Week…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Covid-19

Pandemic took significant toll on FE students, review reveals

Awareness of apprenticeships has declined, mental health has deteriorated and pass rates for adults from BAME communities took the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Spending review: FE budget fears as departments asked to find ‘at least’ 5% savings

The Department for Education has been asked to find savings of “at least” 5 per cent, leaving it facing…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
AEB

ESFA opens up claims against AEB clawback

Colleges facing adult education budget clawback have four weeks to make their case to keep the unused cash. Six…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen

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