News

Former DfE director rails against ‘insensitive’ Skills Toolkit campaign timing

A former top skills civil servant has criticised the launch of a government-funded campaign to promote free online education…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Attendance high for students keen to sit BTEC and other vocational exams this month

A college in Kent has already supported around 500 students to sit their exams this week after receiving “overwhelming…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Williamson defends decision to leave colleges to decide whether BTECs go ahead

No college or training provider should feel “pressured” to offer BTEC and other vocational exams this month, Gavin Williamson…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Teacher assessment grades to replace GCSE and A-level exams in 2021

GCSE and A-level students will receive teacher assessment grades in 2021 following the partial closure of schools and colleges…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Exam boards ‘bemused’ by government backtrack on January exams

A representative body for awarding organisations has said it is “bemused” by the government’s decision to leave it up…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

National lockdown 3: What training providers need to know

There have been some big changes to lockdown rules which impact the FE and skills sector over the next…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Pearson outlines plans for awarding BTEC grades as colleges call off exams

The awarding body that runs BTECs has pledged to award a grade for any student who is unable to…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Teachers’ union backs government decision for January BTEC exams to go ahead

The country’s largest teachers’ union has backed the government’s controversial decision to plough ahead with BTEC and other vocational…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE backtracks: Schools and colleges left to decide whether BTECs go ahead

The Department for Education has said this evening that schools and colleges can now cancel BTEC assessments due to…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

BTEC and other vocational exams to go ahead this week despite national lockdown, DfE confirms

BTEC and other vocational exams will still go ahead this month despite the new national lockdown restrictions, the Department…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

GCSE and A-level 2021 exams cancelled

Summer exams will not “go ahead as normal” this year, the prime minister said tonight after announcing schools and…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Gateshead College accounts reveal the story behind shock deficit

Unauthorised loans, at least £5 million in government bailouts and an inability to investigate potential “fraud” has been revealed…

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