News

Ofsted watch: Private provider straight in with grade one

It’s been a week of mainly highs for FE as one provider was rated ‘outstanding’ in its first ever…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

‘Urgent actions’ needed at two cash-strapped colleges, FE Commissioner warns

Two colleges in severe financial trouble have been told by the FE Commssioner and skills minister that “urgent actions”…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Employers having control over UK skills policy is ‘rhetoric, not reality’

The government should move away from its “unhelpful” mantra of “employers in the driving seat” in UK skills policy…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Public Accounts Committee to quiz top civil servants from DfE, ESFA and IfATE

An influential House of Commons committee will grill officials on the future affordability of the apprenticeships programme on Monday….

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

The truth behind plans to cull 300 staff at England’s largest college group

England’s largest college group this week announced plans to slash up to 300 jobs across its two training providers…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Brooklands principal resigns amid investigation into mysterious £16m subcontractor

The principal and chief executive of a college that gave £16.5 million over the last three years to a…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Apprenticeship quango launches Quality Strategy with aspiration that no apprentice starts without an assessment body

Employers should have access to at least one end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) before apprentices start their programme, the body…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

ESFA faces legal action following controversial European Social Fund tender

A training provider is launching legal action against the Education and Skills Funding Agency following an allegedly botched European…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
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

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