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
News

Nearly a year after review launched, ESFA reveals apprenticeship funding rate cut

The Education and Skills Funding Agency will reduce the £27,000 digital and technology solutions professional apprenticeship standard by £2,000….

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Employer provider hits buffers after Ofsted found failure to take account of prior learning

A new apprenticeship provider has been judged to be making ‘insufficient progress’ after Ofsted found it did not take…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Tributes paid to former FE Commissioner Sir David Collins

Tributes have been paid to former FE Commissioner Sir David Collins who died after losing his fight against cancer….

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

AoC increases funding rate demands after crunching the T-level numbers

The Association of Colleges has revisited its funding rate plea for 16 to 18-year-olds and upped it from £4,760…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA developing ‘ITP risk assessment tool’ to root out failing private providers

The government is developing a tool to risk assess independent training providers, as part of “strengthening” oversight. The plan,…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

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