News

NCG announces new chief executive

England’s largest college group has appointed Liz Bromley as its new chief executive. NCG will welcome the former deputy…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Labour’s advisory board considering tax credit employer incentives

A Labour Party commission has set out what it calls a “radical new direction” for lifelong learning, including the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Second round of apprenticeship standard reviews launched

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has today launched a route review of standards in the creative and…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted finds ‘significant’ safeguarding concerns at specialist college

A specialist college that teaches students with autism and other complex needs has dropped two grades to ‘inadequate’ after…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Wave of companies join apprenticeship register in first major update in nearly a year

A wave of organisations have been added to the refreshed register of apprenticeship training providers, while nearly 20 have…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

FE Commissioner called in as principal on leave for ‘personal reasons’

The FE Commissioner’s team will visit Richmond-upon-Thames College next month after its principal went on indefinite leave for ‘personal…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon


News

Union critical of government axing skills minister post

Boris Johnson’s axing of the dedicated skills minister position has been criticised by the University and College Union. In…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

DfE says FE so important the education secretary will lead on skills brief

The education secretary Gavin Williamson has taken responsibility for the apprenticeships and skills brief. Despite it previously being understood…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

ESFA move to short notice funding audits in dodgy data crackdown

Colleges and training providers will now be given as little as two weeks notice of a financial assurance audit…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofsted watch: Promising for most, but well-known waste disposal employer disappoints

FE providers have shown great promise in Ofsted inspections this week, except for one national waste disposal employer which…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Boris Johnson: ‘It’s vital we invest now in FE and skills’

Boris Johnson has said it is “vital” the government invests “now” in further education and skills, and has promised…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Monthly apprenticeships update: April starts up 3% on last year but May stays static

Apprenticeship starts for the period August 2018 to May 2019 are up 7 per cent on the previous year,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
16-19

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Qualifications

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Politics, Skills reform

DWP will take over apprenticeships, minister confirms

Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships policy will give “bigger emphasis on skills”, Jacqui Smith claims

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel