News

Proposed new IfATE powers ‘strike the right balance’ with Ofqual, says Williamson

The education secretary has defended plans to hand new powers to the government’s apprenticeships quango, saying it will “strike…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Williamson looking at adaptions for 2022 exams to ensure ‘right level of support’ for students

The government is looking at a “similar set of measures” for the 2022 exams as those proposed for this…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

DfE considering ‘accelerated inspections’ to help Ofsted tackle Covid backlog

Gavin Williamson has revealed the government is looking to accelerate the timetable for Ofsted inspections in order to address…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

Confusion and heavy lobbying forces Ofsted to ‘clarify’ Baker clause approach

Ofsted inspectors will “always” report where a school fails to comply with the Baker clause and “consider” how it…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
Feature, News

Should length of tenure for CEOs and chairs be limited?

College leadership failings continue to prove costly, and the education secretary is now seeking greater powers to take more…

Jess Staufenberg
Jess Staufenberg
Ofsted

Pressure mounts on Ofsted to limit grades by Baker Clause compliance

MPs have called on Ofsted to cut schools off from the top two inspection grades if they fail to…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon


News

Williamson wants to rush through university admissions reform ‘without legislation’

The government wants to rush through its plans for a post-qualifications admissions (PQA) system for universities “without legislation”, the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Williamson’s policy adviser set to be new Ofqual boss

A former academy trust boss and policy adviser to Gavin Williamson has been put forward to be the new…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

‘How is this fair?’: Ofsted pause leaves grade 3 colleges excluded from £18m Fund

College principals are in uproar over being excluded from yet another government fund because they are stuck with a…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
Ofsted

Ofsted raps performing arts provider for body shaming students

A theatre and dance company has been slammed by Ofsted for body shaming its students. Learners at the Bodywork…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Lords line up to challenge new law on provider insurance

Plans to force independent training providers to take out insurance to cover against possible cessation of training are set…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Principals launch ‘Good for ME, Good for FE’ volunteering campaign

A trio of leading college bosses have today launched an initiative to raise £1 million in “social value” through…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

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