News

Ofsted’s autumn visits: what FE providers need to know

Ofsted has today published further details about how their “interim visits” of FE providers will work this autumn. The…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofqual moots online tests as plan B for 2021 exams

Ofqual has confirmed exams will go ahead next year come what may, saying that it is looking at online…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofqual: ‘Fundamental mistake’ to believe algorithm grades would ‘ever be acceptable to public’

The “fundamental mistake” made by Ofqual throughout this year’s exams debacle was to believe that its calculated grades “would…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Funding audits to restart this month for private providers – but not colleges

New routine funding audits will restart on a remote basis for independent training providers from this month – but…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News, Opinion

Helping providers recover from the impact of Coronavirus

The AELP Business Recovery Conference on 9-10 September 2020 is the flagship skills event of the year.  Presented online…

Shane Mann
JANE HICKIE
News

New DfE guidance: Rota system planned for local lockdowns

FE providers may be asked to switch to a rota system for attendance if they are in an area…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker


News

Colleges and schools cry foul over missing vocational results

Colleges and schools across England are still awaiting the results of some vocational qualifications, despite a promise from government…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Ofqual to face grilling by MPs over exams fiasco

Leaders from exams regulator Ofqual will appear in front of MPs next week to answer questions about this year’s…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Minister hints at potential further delay to vocational results

Exam boards are set to work “through the weekend and into next week” to process vocational qualification results, a…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

DfE top boss Jonathan Slater to leave

The Department for Education’s permanent secretary Jonathan Slater is to be replaced, the government has announced. The Financial Times…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Coronavirus: Colleges to receive just 10 home testing kits each

Colleges will receive just 10 coronavirus home testing kits each, and should only use them in “exceptional circumstances”, the…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

DfE confirms U-turn over masks in colleges

Learners and staff at colleges in high-transmission areas will be required to wear face coverings following a U-turn by…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker

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