News

Mixed response to restated public sector apprenticeship target

The government’s single-year extension to the public sector apprenticeship target has received mixed reaction from in-scope bodies. It was…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

GCSEs and A-levels 2021: 8 things you need to know from grades guidance

The Joint Council for Qualifications has finally confirmed what schools and colleges need to do to award GCSE and…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE reveals college and provider full reopening roadmap

The Department for Education has today revealed how colleges and training providers will be expected to operate over the…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

GCSEs and A-levels 2021: Key dates revealed

Exam boards have today published guidance for how schools and colleges are expected to award grades this summer. The…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Treasury to blame for adult education clawback plans

The Treasury has demanded that the Department for Education claw back millions in adult education funding from colleges, FE…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Atkins exit interview: ‘Do I think we’ve got most of it right? Yes – I do’

In his final interview as FE Commissioner, Richard Atkins speaks candidly about his time in office and why he…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

MPs demand answers from ministers over ‘Wild West’ grading fears

Ministers have been warned over a “Wild West” grading system this summer with MPs demanding concessions to ensure a…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE admits official Skills Toolkit completion data may just be starts

The Department for Education has admitted that a “completion” of a course on its Skills Toolkit may simply represent…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Apprenticeship standard achievement rate fails to hit 60%

More than two in five apprentices on standards failed to successfully complete their qualification last year. National achievement rate…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Apprenticeships

Level 2 apprenticeships functional skills flexibility extended – AGAIN

A flexibility that suspends the requirement for level 2 apprentices to study towards and sit a level 2 functional…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Impact of ‘spiteful’ ESFA adult education claw back plans revealed

A college has warned it will have to hand back over £4 million under the Education and Skills Funding…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Government security centre warns colleges of ‘spike’ in cyber attacks

Schools and colleges have lost financial records, students’ coursework and Covid-19 testing data during a recent “spike” in cyber…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

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