News

Will England take inspiration from Germany’s chambers of commerce?

The government’s forthcoming FE white paper could hand the British Chambers of Commerce key influencing powers over funding and…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Apprentices stuck in limbo as Covid hits functional skills tests

Thousands of apprentices are “stuck in limbo” as awarding bodies struggle to adapt their functional skills assessments in the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Education secretary makes ‘guarantee’ T Levels will be ‘available’ to adults in future

T Levels will be an option for adults of any age to study as part of the government’s new…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Unions call for substantial college staff pay increase following £400m boost

Trade unions have called for a “significant” pay rise for college staff this year, after the government pumped an extra…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

‘Outstanding’ providers set for Ofsted inspections next year – but may face 6-year wait

‘Outstanding’ schools, colleges and training providers are set to be inspected again when Ofsted inspections resume next year –…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA refuses to rule out funding clawback for ‘under delivery’

Controversial plans to clawback some of this year’s unspent adult education budget grant funding are back on the cards,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Prime minister Boris Johnson’s speech on adult skills: The full text

There are many reasons to – for me I should say – to come here to Exeter College –…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Who is the first chair of the skills and productivity board?

An executive vice president at international broadcaster Sky has been appointed as chair of the Department for Education’s new…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

WorldSkills UK LIVE back for 2020 with online event

Plans to replace this year’s WorldSkills UK LIVE with a virtual event, including talks from the likes of Great…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

PM to announce major ‘expansion’ in FE funding for adults

Adults over the age of 23 in England without a full level 3 qualification will be offered one for…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Confirmed: DfE sets out plan for Ofsted to take on degree apprenticeships

Ofsted will be handed powers to inspect level 6 and 7 apprenticeships from 1 April 2021, education secretary Gavin…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Long-running apprenticeship provider goes bust

An independent training provider in Birmingham has entered insolvency after Covid-19 reduced the company’s income to a point that…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

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