News

ESFA takes control of investigation into Hadlow’s former deputy principal

An investigation initiated by the Hadlow Group’s board into their former deputy principal has been taken over by the…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

DfE to review Institute of Technology ‘cold spots’

The government has said it may tender for more Institutes of Technology after FE Week shared concerns that there…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Plans for PhD-level apprenticeships thrown into doubt

Plans for PhD-level apprenticeships have been thrown into doubt after the Institute for Apprenticeships raised concerns they were not…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Small businesses outline ‘serious concerns’ with stretched apprenticeship budget

The Federation of Small Businesses has raised “serious concerns” about the apprenticeship budget and claims “over a quarter of…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Ofsted finds ‘prohibited’ subcontracting – again

A loans-only provider has been rated ‘inadequate’ after Ofsted found it was using banned subcontracting. The watchdog gave Be…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Seventh time unlucky: Training provider rated ‘inadequate’ after six consecutive grade threes

A private provider has been hit with the lowest possible Ofsted rating after receiving six consecutive ‘requires improvement’ ratings…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino


News

Apprenticeship levy usage rockets from 5 to 22% in second year but only 15% since launch

Employers used 22 per cent of their apprenticeship levy funds in the 12 months to the end of January…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofqual issues first ever intention to fine end-point assessment organisation

An end-point assessment organisation is facing a potential fine of £50,000 after “technical issues” affected its delivery of apprenticeship…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

College to slash another 55 jobs in effort to save £2m

A college in financial crisis has announced plans to shed another 55 jobs in a move that is expected…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Edexcel maths A-level paper leaks referred to prosecutors

Police investigating high-profile leaks of Edexcel A-level exam papers in 2017 and 2018 have passed their first case to…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: New apprenticeship provider censured in otherwise strong showing by FE

A new apprenticeship provider has been heavily criticised for not monitoring its subcontracted provision in what was otherwise a…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Assessment organisation finally found for nursing apprentices

Thousands of nursing apprentices who have less than a year before they finish their training can breathe a sigh…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

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