Colleges

DfE reveals plan for three-way merger to secure survival of cash-strapped Southampton college

The proposal forms the outcome of the DfE’s long-awaited City-wide Solution project Southampton

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges

Colleges call for emergency government funding to boost staff pay

The DfE is also being asked to review FE policies to reduce financial risks

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
FE workforce

Week of strikes at London college begin over ‘fire and rehire’ threat

‘The management team at Richmond upon Thames are effectively putting a gun to the head of its own staff….

Will Nott
Will Nott
Ofsted

SEND college jumps from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘outstanding’ in three years

‘From the moment learners enter the college premises, they encounter a very welcoming, caring and calm environment,’ inspectors said…

Will Nott
Will Nott
News

DfE and quangos shun NUS – but will FE notice?

The union’s engagement on FE issues is already minimal

Will Nott
Will Nott
Apprenticeships

Apprentice pay: ‘£4.81 an hour isn’t enough to live on. It’s crippling.’

Low-paid apprenticeships are becoming ‘unaffordable’ for learners and are contributing to low take-up, according to providers.

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen


Colleges

Clawback disputes and ‘frustratingly slow’ ESFA reviews delay accounts for 4 colleges 

One college has now failed to publish financial statements for the previous three years

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges

Principal under investigation given £75k for loss of office

He lost his job after an audit revealed £5m worth of overclaimed funding

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Not enough desks for DfE staff sent back to the office

Staff at the Department for Education have had to work in corridors and canteens after the government’s return-to-the-office edict…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
Apprenticeships

Winners of inaugural apprenticeship assessment awards revealed

Federation of Awarding Bodies chief executive Tom Bewick said the awards marked a “crucial point” when the majority of…

Will Nott
Will Nott
Colleges

Deputy FE Commissioner to take the reins at college surviving on bailout money

Struggling City College Southampton will have a new principal from July

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
FE workforce

One college strike called off, but five more go ahead

‘To avoid further strike action, management at the other colleges need to look at Bury and see what can…

Will Nott
Will Nott

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Inside FE’s lifeline for under-16s: Stepping in where schools fail

More and more anxious 14-16 year olds not in school are starting afresh in colleges, but they are under-recognised,…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Young people

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
News

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen