News

Rishi Sunak said to be ‘annoyed’ with DfE delays to traineeship expansion

The chancellor Rishi Sunak was personally “annoyed” at how long the Department for Education traineeships tender took to get…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

The highlights from our webcast on post-Covid FE

It’s tough for many of us out there at the moment, but some are starting to plan for life…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Covid forces delay to T Level work placements

Disruption during the pandemic has forced colleges to postpone industry placements required by 16- and 17-year-olds to complete their…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofsted snubbed as DfE moves closer to skills bootcamps national rollout

Thousands of adult education courses across England and funded from the new National Skills Fund will not be inspected…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

‘Plethora’ of apprenticeship standards set to hit 600

The government has been accused of “losing their way” when it comes to England’s apprenticeships, as the number of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Sponsored post

Helping students view the world through a mathematical lens

Mathematics comes in handy for answering questions about a variety of topics, from calculating the cost-effectiveness of fuel sources…

M3 Challenge
M3 Challenge


News

Consultation on scrapping quals competing with T Levels to remain open for further two weeks

A government consultation that asks for views on plans to remove funding for applied general qualifications, such as BTECs,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
AEB

AEB procurement at a time of reform – what we now know

The nationally procured adult education budget contracts with the Education and Skills Funding Agency come to an end in…

Nick Linford
NICK LINFORD
News

MPs take fight to save local college to Downing Street

Members of parliament fighting to save a land-based college have escalated the issue to prime minister Boris Johnson, after…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

DfE opens free devices scheme to independent providers after backlash

The government has extended its free digital devices scheme to independent training providers, just days after the skills minister…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Backtrack part 2: BTECs and other vocational exams cancelled from next month

Written BTEC and other vocational exams planned for February and March should not go ahead, the education secretary has…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Sector bodies unite to call for education staff to get Covid vaccinations priority

Trade unions and sector representative bodies have combined forces to call on the government to prioritise education staff in…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

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