News

‘Skills taxonomy’: new algorithm planned to seek out skills cold spots

A government tender has revealed plans to develop a “skills taxonomy” that could sit at the heart of Department…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Winners of £18m bootcamps tender revealed

The providers chosen to deliver the government’s flagship national technical skills bootcamps have been named. FE Week can reveal…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted

Welsh online-only apprenticeship provider censured by Ofsted

A Wales-based provider that trains apprentices in England exclusively online has been rapped by Ofsted. Cognitia Consulting, headquartered in…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Eight specialist colleges honoured in Natspec awards 2021

A college which recruited a robot to help students with autism, and a project to ease learners’ return to…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Post-qualification admissions: Ofqual says university reforms risk ‘unacceptable’ results delays

Ofqual has warned exam results could be delayed and students miss out on places if the government relies on…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Spielman set for two-year extension as Ofsted chief inspector

Amanda Spielman is set to stay on as Ofsted chief inspector for an extra two years, FE Week‘s sister…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

ESFA to launch another European Social Fund tender

A fresh European Social Fund tender worth £17 million is in the works and is expected to launch next…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Queen’s speech 2021: What was promised for FE and skills

The government has pledged to introduce legislation to support its lifetime skills guarantee policy and enable flexible training throughout…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Long read, SEND

Revealed: SEND centres for excellence model to expand with six new providers

Two years on, the sector’s ‘centres for excellence’ in special educational needs will be joined by mini-hubs. Jess Staufenberg…

Jess Staufenberg
Jess Staufenberg
News

Student face mask rules to be dropped from May 17, PM confirms

Students will no longer wear face masks in school and college from next week, Boris Johnson has confirmed. The…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted to review framework’s impact on staff wellbeing, new charter pledges

Ofsted will review the impact its inspection framework has on staff wellbeing and the government has promised not to…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Skills reform

New legislation set for the ‘Skills Bill’

[UPDATE 11/05/2021: Downing Street has said the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill will be introduced on 18 May]  …

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

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