News

Ofqual wants to ‘rebuke’ rule-breaking exam boards

Ofqual is proposing to change how it punishes awarding organisations who are non-compliant with new “public rebukes” and fixed…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Another 14 strike days announced at college involved in contracts row

Nottingham College will be hit with yet more “unprecedented” strikes next month after staff accused their leaders of reneging…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Feature, News

Introducing… Lord Agnew

Jess Staufenberg has closely followed Lord Agnew’s career in the schools sector, where his reputation divides opinion. As he…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

DfE looking to appoint extra principals and consultants to ‘enable more colleges to be supported’

The FE Commissioner is recruiting more college leaders and governors to firm up the National Leaders of Governance and…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofsted comes down hard on UK’s leading firm of financial compliance advisers

A company claiming to be the UK’s largest compliance support and business consultancy provider for financial services has been…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Principal goes on ‘leave of absence’ at college under investigation for nepotism and ‘financial wrongdoing’

The principal and chief executive at a college under investigation for nepotism and ‘financial wrongdoing’ is now on a…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

DfE reveals who will be allowed to deliver T-levels in 2022 – but there is a catch

[UPDATE: Following this story the DfE changed its guidance to state that providers selected to deliver T-levels from 2022…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Ofsted watch: Mega apprenticeship provider making ‘significant progress’ after grade three

A major financial services provider to high-profile employers and over 3,500 apprentices, has made ‘significant progress’ following a previous…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Counter fraud becomes 500th approved apprenticeship standard

Counter fraud investigator has become the 500th apprenticeship standard approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

AELP accuses DfE of ‘sidestepping’ with £515k tender to engage SMEs in apprenticeships

The government has come under fire for planning to spend £500,000 helping small employers get “onboarded onto the Apprenticeship…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Flagship rail college hopes new name and broader offering will put it back on track

The National College for High Speed Rail is ploughing ahead with a new name and broader course offer, following…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Williamson defends his old sixth form as it drops digital T-level

The education secretary has said his former college made the “right decision” in pulling out of offering a T-level…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

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
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