News

Six months after RoATP applications ESFA can’t say when outcomes will be revealed

New applicants trying to get onto the refreshed apprenticeship provider register have been left hanging by the government six…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Three colleges handed DfE warnings over finances

Three struggling colleges have been hit with a notice to improve by the government this afternoon, after they were…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

DfE consults on extending teacher pension survivor rights to civil and same-sex partners

The Department for Education has launched a consultation into plans to extend survivor benefits under the teachers’ pension scheme…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Apprenticeship quango to review impact of their own controversial funding rate cuts

The Institute for Apprenticeships will soon start evaluating the impact of its controversial funding band reviews, and promises to…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Another 6 new providers suspended from taking on apprentices

Six more new providers have received temporary bans on recruiting apprentices following early Ofsted inspections that found them making…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

AoC wins secretive T-levels transition offer tender

The Association of Colleges has won a contract with the government to develop a “transitional” course for T-levels, following…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

What Ofsted’s new inspection framework means for FE

Ofsted has today published its new and final education inspection framework that will come into effect from September. It…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Feature, News

Prison education? It’s much calmer than an FE college…

No college would consider it had done a good job if it allowed students to complete their studies without…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

EPI: Proportion of sixth form colleges with in-year deficits rockets fivefold in six-year period

The proportion of sixth form colleges with in-year deficits has soared fivefold over a six-year period due to crippling…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Joy and heartbreak: contrasting emotions as funding band changes are announced

Funding bands for ten of the 30 apprenticeship standards which have been under review by the Institute for Apprenticeships…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofsted watch: Two providers straight in with ‘good’ in uneventful week for FE

One specialist college and a private provider received a grade two rating in their first ever Ofsted inspections, in…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Final Team UK line-up for WorldSkills 2019 revealed

With the last seven competitors selected, Team UK is now complete and ready to compete in this year’s WorldSkills…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission

Deprived areas need vision – not victimhood – to level up, and Social Mobility Commission chair Alun Francis is…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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