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
News

Bids invited for new £9.5m FE professional development grants

Applications for a £9.5 million government pilot to bolster teacher training in the further education sector have opened today….

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

Must read

Long read, Prison education

The prison that’s offering hope for a new life upon release

‘We’re saving people’s lives as well as turning them around’

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Apprenticeships, Politics

Phillipson to exempt young people from level 7 apprenticeships funding axe

Education secretary makes ‘important concession’ amid backlash from other government departments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges, FE Commissioner

Weston chair felt powerless over £2.5m payments to former principal

Ex-Weston college chair gives tell-all interview following FE Commissioner probe

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
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