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
News

Huge employer provider to downsize and scrap all level 2 apprenticeships

A major retailer is scrapping all of its level 2 provision in a move that will see a huge…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Apprenticeship quango tender for quality assurance won by incumbent

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has once again awarded its long-term external quality assurance (EQA) contract to…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Plans revealed for Londoners to receive free ESOL courses up to entry level 3 from next year

The Greater London Authority is planning to provide free English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses up to…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofsted watch: 8 out of 10 providers celebrate positive reports

It has been a very successful week for FE providers, with eight out of the 10 reports published by…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino


News

Treasury took back over £300m despite small employers being turned away

The government has for the first time admitted the vast majority of the £400 million underspend from the Department…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Government to fully-fund college pension cost increase

The Department for Education has today revealed it will provide extra funding to cover the rise in pension contributions…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Apprenticeship funding band reviews to include updated ‘affordability measures’ in wake of budget warnings

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is updating its ‘affordability measures’ when making funding band recommendations. Minutes published…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Revealed: The winners and losers in the £170m Institutes of Technology competition

The Department for Education has today unveiled the colleges and universities in line for a share of £170m in…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Bidders remain in the dark as DfE delays Institutes of Technology tender results

The Institutes of Technology tender has fallen behind schedule, with the final 16 providers left waiting to be told…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
Feature, News

The principal who took over two failed colleges and came out smiling

Mike Hopkins has more experience than most principals of overseeing college mergers. In January of this year South and…

Catherine Murray
Catherine Murray

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