News

Stats watchdog to launch review into Ofqual’s results algorithm

The government’s statistics watchdog is to launch a review into how Ofqual’s controversial results algorithm was developed. The review…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

A-level results 2020: ASCL calls for independent inquiry into exam results fiasco

A college leaders’ union has amped up the pressure on government, calling for an independent inquiry into this year’s…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Pearson corrects education secretary on BTEC downgrades, saying only 0.5 per cent of results were moderated down

The awarding body for BTECs has corrected education secretary Gavin Williamson after he said two per cent of results…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

DfE advertises for members for new skills and productivity board

Leading labour market economists are being offered £1,000 a day by the Department for Education to join its new…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Two per cent of BTEC results were downgraded, says Williamson

UPDATE: Pearson has now said only 0.5 per cent of BTEC results have been downgraded Two per cent of…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Williamson suggests he didn’t analyse Ofqual algorithm until after it was published

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has suggested he first got proper sight of Ofqual’s controversial algorithm – and the troublesome…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon


News

Education Secretary hopeful BTEC results will be included in grading U-turn

The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said that he is hoping BTEC and similar vocational grades will be included…

Shane Mann
Shane Mann
News

Manchester Mayor reaffirms legal threat after grading U-turn excludes BTEC results

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has this evening reiterated his threat of legal action against the government,…

Shane Mann
Shane Mann
News

Students’ ‘devastating’ week after ‘shambolic’ handling of A-level results

Tens of thousands of students endured a nervous weekend wanting answers on how they can appeal against their calculated…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Results fiasco: Ofqual ‘extremely sorry’ for creating ‘real anguish and damaging public confidence’

Ofqual has said it’s sorry for creating a results system that caused “real anguish” as it’s confirmed pupils will…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Confirmed: A-level and GCSE pupils to get teacher grades

Exams regulator Ofqual has confirmed that both A-level and GCSEs students will be given their teacher grades in what…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Hadlow concludes transfer of sites after entering administration

The last campuses of the first colleges to go into administration have been taken over by a new provider,…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Colleges on the frontline of a divided nation

As social media algorithms fuel intolerance and binary thinking, college staff increasingly find themselves dealing with the fallout. Jessica…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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