News

Revealed: The 13 colleges to share £1.8m strategic improvement funding

Thirteen more colleges will receive a total of £1.8 million in grants through a fund designed to support struggling…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Stop levy funding for all level 6 and 7 apprenticeships, demands training providers

All level six and seven apprenticeships, including those with integrated degrees, should be removed from the scope of levy…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Milton denies qualifications shake-up ahead of T-level roll-out is market manipulation

The government’s consultation on plans to withdraw funding for thousands of applied general qualifications including BTECs is not manipulation…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

England’s biggest college group plans to downsize putting 300 jobs at risk

Up to 300 jobs are on the line at England’s largest college group, after it announced plans to close…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Half of college strikes planned for this week called off

Half of the 10 strikes planned at colleges across the country this week have either been suspended or called…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Hadlow Group appoint interim chairs – including one very familiar face

The embattled Hadlow Group has been bolstered by the appointment of two new interim chairs for its colleges’ boards:…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon


News

Government consults on plans to withdraw funding for applied generals including BTECs

The future of thousands of applied general qualifications including BTECs hangs in the balance as the government launches its…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Principal suspended pending outcome of investigation has resigned

Paul Hannan has resigned as principal of the Hadlow Group following investigations into financial irregularities at its two colleges….

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Second T-levels tender for awarding bodies launched

The tender process for the second wave of T-levels has been launched by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted finds workers being forced onto provider’s apprenticeship programme

An experienced commercial training provider new to the apprenticeships market has been heavily criticised after Ofsted found staff at…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofsted watch: Four providers improve to ‘good’ in busy week for FE

Four providers – including a major college – have boosted their grades from three to two this week, while…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Three-day strike at New College Swindon called off after 2% staff pay rise agreed

Strike action has been called off at New College Swindon after it agreed to a staff pay deal which…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

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