News

New Ofqual chief promises to work with sector for ‘smooth-running’ exams next year

The new interim chief regulator at Ofqual has promised to work with the sector to ensure the “smooth-running” of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Bring back individual learning accounts, say influential MPs

Influential MPs have added their voices to calls for the return of individual learning accounts to help reverse the…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Unions tell ministers mass testing plans are ‘inoperable’, and pledge to back colleges who refuse

Unions and professional associations have said they will fully back schools and colleges that are “unable” to deliver mass…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Non-exam-year FE students to switch to online learning for first week back in January

FE students who are not preparing for exams in 2021 must learn at home for the first week of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Top results at A-level drop in Autumn resits compared to summer

The proportion of top grades awarded to students in the Autumn A-level exams is overall lower than the summer…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Adult education

London Mayor to increase AEB funding rates by 10% – but will the ESFA follow?

The mayor of London will increase the funding rates for all adult education budget qualifications up to and including…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Regulators took over after apprenticeship assessment bodies refused to comply

A lack of regulatory powers for quality assurance providers to enforce compliance with apprentice assessment rules was a key…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Covid workforce funds: What colleges need to know

The Department for Education has published the thresholds and eligibility criteria for its new ‘Covid workforce fund’ – but…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

DfE extends free sanitary products scheme for an extra year

The government has extended its free sanitary products scheme for schools and colleges for an extra year. Schools and…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Hunt underway for new IfATE chair after incumbent announces early departure

The search for a new Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education chair has begun after it was announced Antony…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofqual chair Roger Taylor to stand down

The chair of exams regulator Ofqual is to stand down at the end of the year. Roger Taylor, who…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Rapid Covid-19 tests to be rolled out in all colleges from January

Rapid-result coronavirus tests will be rolled out to all secondary schools and colleges across England from January, the government…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

Must read

Colleges, Politics

Joe Docherty: Labour peer quit college role over ‘inappropriate conduct’

The former education executive has been suspended by the party weeks after being sent to the House of Lords…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill and Gabriel Pogrund
Colleges, Long read

Inside FE’s lifeline for under-16s: Stepping in where schools fail

More and more anxious 14-16 year olds not in school are starting afresh in colleges, but they are under-recognised,…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Young people

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen