News

Labour launches second National Education Service consultation

The Labour Party has launched its second consultation on its plans for a National Education Service, which will explore…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Monthly apprenticeships update: Aug – Dec starts up 10% but down 24% on 2016

Figures for the apprenticeship starts published this morning for the period August to December 2018 are up 10 per…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

NAO says National Apprenticeship Week a ‘good time’ to publish damning report into government oversight

The National Audit Office is expected to publish its long awaited follow-up review on the state of the apprenticeships…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

DfE urges colleges to report whether they are adopting AoC’s controversial senior pay code

The Department for Education is “encouraging” colleges to be more transparent about senior staff pay when they file their…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Labour Party to use National Apprenticeship Week to highlight lack of apprentices in the civil service

Labour is planning to use National Apprenticeships Week to attack the government on their commitment to their own public…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Is a criminal investigation into 3aaa about to begin?

A criminal investigation into disgraced apprenticeship firm Aspire Achieve Advance could soon be launched after the Department for Education…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Mega college in debt consulting on demerger

A mega college that recently saw its principal quit before receiving a third consecutive ‘requires improvement’ rating from Ofsted…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE seeks help with course to support young people prepare for T-levels

The Department for Education is searching for an organisation to design and support the phased implementation of the T-level…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofqual sparks immediate backlash over plans to force awarding organisations to conduct no-notice audits

Awarding organisations could soon have to conduct surprise audits to colleges and training providers as Ofqual seeks to tighten…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt resigns

The general secretary of the University and College Union has resigned for health reasons, it was announced today. Sally…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: Independent specialist college rated ‘inadequate’ in poor week for providers

An independent specialist college has been hit with an ‘inadequate’ rating after Ofsted found students with high needs were…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Potential for extra funding for small employer apprentices – but no promises

The government “anticipates” it will be able fund all over-delivery on non-levy apprenticeships for providers who exceed their contract…

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