Long read, Skills reform

Can the government fix the ‘confusing’ careers landscape?

The skills white paper sets the lofty ambition of a “clear, all-age careers system”. Will a former academic be…

Jess Staufenberg
Jess Staufenberg
Sponsored post

The Lowered Threshold: Our Support to You

After a challenging year for Colleges and providers, as everyone is now aware the ESFA announced that the Adult…

The Skills Network
The Skills Network
Sponsored post

Ofqual VTQ consultation – what does this mean for the future of assessment?

Ofqual VTQ consultation – what does this mean for the future of assessment? Stewart Foster, Chief Operating Officer and…

NCFE
NCFE
News

Ofsted summer inspection plans revealed

Full graded inspections of new providers, and monitoring visits to those rated grades three or four will resume in…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
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

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission

Deprived areas need vision – not victimhood – to level up, and Social Mobility Commission chair Alun Francis is…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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