News

Ofqual: Removing access to BTECs risks creating ‘barrier’ to student progress

The body that regulates qualifications in England has added its voice to fears about the government’s plans for scrapping…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Dozens made redundant as ‘good’ apprenticeship provider goes bust

A training provider has gone bust after being “hit hard” by the government’s apprenticeship reforms, putting nearly 40 staff…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

West Thames College strike days this year hit double figures

Staff at two colleges will go on strike again this week as part of an ongoing row over pay…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: Poor week for multiple new apprenticeship providers

New apprenticeship providers came in for some stinging criticism this week, with three found to be making ‘insufficient progress’…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Revealed: 54 colleges and providers chosen for second wave of Taking Teaching Further funding

The colleges and training providers chosen to recruit new FE teachers and improve links with industry for the second…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Theresa May: FE has been ‘overlooked, undervalued and underfunded’

The Prime Minister delivered a speech this morning in response to the much anticipated Augar review on post-18 education….

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Monthly apprenticeships update: March starts up 7% but down on 2017

Apprenticeship starts for the period August 2018 to March 2019 are up 9 per cent on the previous year,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Post-18 education review: The 9 main recommendations for FE

The long-awaited review into post-18 education and funding has been released today, with the publication of a 216-page report….

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Post-18 education review: Introduce a ‘lifelong learning loan allowance’

The government should introduce a “lifelong learning loan allowance” at levels 4, 5 and 6 for adults without a…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Revealed: The big winners of the controversial £310m European Social Fund tender

Serco has come out as the biggest winner of the government’s controversial European Social Fund tender, securing 17 contracts…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Serial entrepreneur’s new provider fails to impress Ofsted

A new provider run by a well-known entrepreneur has been criticised by Ofsted after inspectors found it making ‘insufficient…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

PhD-level apprenticeships are a ‘perfect fit’ for today’s jobs market, says UVAC director

A university membership organisation has criticised those opposing PhDlevel apprenticeships, saying such resistance shows a “bewildering lack of understanding…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino

Must read

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
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