News

Apprentice assessment flexibilities extended again

Temporary flexibilities that help apprentices complete their end-point assessment during the pandemic will be extended until at least August…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

First joint ETF and AoC director of diversity appointed

The Education and Training Foundation and the Association of Colleges have appointed a joint director of diversity to “drive…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

How exam boards will proceed: a one-stop shop of what we know so far

Following the government’s decision to let providers decide whether to cancel exams this month, awarding bodies have been outlining…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Second national college set to ‘dissolve’

Another flagship national college is set to dissolve after facing insolvency and requiring government bailouts to stay afloat. The…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

January exams on or off? How colleges have responded

The January vocational exam series descended into chaos at the start of the week as the government passed the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Former DfE director rails against ‘insensitive’ Skills Toolkit campaign timing

A former top skills civil servant has criticised the launch of a government-funded campaign to promote free online education…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Attendance high for students keen to sit BTEC and other vocational exams this month

A college in Kent has already supported around 500 students to sit their exams this week after receiving “overwhelming…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Williamson defends decision to leave colleges to decide whether BTECs go ahead

No college or training provider should feel “pressured” to offer BTEC and other vocational exams this month, Gavin Williamson…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Teacher assessment grades to replace GCSE and A-level exams in 2021

GCSE and A-level students will receive teacher assessment grades in 2021 following the partial closure of schools and colleges…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Exam boards ‘bemused’ by government backtrack on January exams

A representative body for awarding organisations has said it is “bemused” by the government’s decision to leave it up…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

National lockdown 3: What training providers need to know

There have been some big changes to lockdown rules which impact the FE and skills sector over the next…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Pearson outlines plans for awarding BTEC grades as colleges call off exams

The awarding body that runs BTECs has pledged to award a grade for any student who is unable to…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

Must read

Awarding

Earpiece exam cheat ring jailed over construction test fraud

Men trained candidates to hide devices and exploit access arrangements to pass mandatory safety tests

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Adult education, Apprenticeships, Skills reform

Apprenticeships purge: Team leader and chartered manager among 16 axed standards

Ministers also unveil the first 7 apprenticeship units

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
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