News

Delayed Ney report into financial oversight of colleges still with ministers

The Department for Education said this week the independent report into their own oversight of college finances will be…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Supplier relief: London deputy mayor reveals Covid-19 provider support

Training providers in London are to receive “advance payments” to “support provision and recognise the disruption caused by the…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

DfE won’t force colleges to stay open during Easter to support the vulnerable

The government “cannot require” colleges to remain open over the Easter holidays amid the Covid-19 outbreak, the Association of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Supplier relief: Deal to pay private training providers with no course delivery for next three months

Training providers in the West Midlands will continue to be funded for the next three months irrespective of their…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

AoC: ‘It might help’ if colleges given access to DfE free meal vouchers

“It might help” colleges if they were allowed to access the government’s new free school meal vouchers scheme, their…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Coronavirus: DfE suspends £9m College Collaboration Fund

The Department for Education has suspended its new College Collaboration Fund to “help colleges focus on their staff and…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon


News

Ofsted extends post-inspection and complaints consultation

An Ofsted consultation that includes plans to withhold inspection reports until complaints are resolved has been extended by four…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofqual seeks apprenticeship director to lead new ‘field team’

Ofqual is hiring a director to lead a new apprenticeships team that will be “operating in the field” as…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Applications open for WorldSkills Centre of Excellence

Colleges from across the UK are now being invited to take part in the first wave of the WorldSkills…

Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
Feature, News

Free meals: are vouchers what colleges need to cater for the vulnerable?

In the absence of the government’s promised universal voucher system, colleges and ITPs have already taken matters into their…

JL Dutaut
JL Dutaut
News

Atkins offers ‘confidential’ support in light of Covid-19

The FE Commissioner has offered “confidential” support to any colleges struggling financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic….

Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
News

How the FE sector is adapting to the coronavirus crisis

Colleges and training providers have adapted in positive and innovative ways to continue learning and support the local community…

Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu
Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu

Must read

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
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden