News

Ofsted watch: Exemplary week for universities

Universities showed off their apprenticeship delivery skills this week, as one was rated ‘outstanding’ while another was judged to…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

FE Commissioner pushing for mega merger to secure Cornwall College’s future

The FE Commissioner is pushing for a mega merger in Cornwall to secure the future of Cornwall College, which…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Editor Asks: Anne Milton responds to the NAO apprenticeships report

Anne Milton initially seemed in good spirits when I began our interview at a coffee shop at the University for East London’s…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Major bank stands by college fighting for survival following second failed merger

A major high street bank will “remain supportive” of a cash-strapped college that owes it over £6 million, despite fears the college…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

The truth about The Hadlow Group financial scandal

The Hadlow Group has hit the headlines following allegations of financial irregularities and the departure of several senior leaders…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

T-level transition offer tender slammed for exclusivity and secrecy

The Department for Education has been accused of “locking out” small firms in a highly restrictive and secretive T-level…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Government to ‘strengthen’ end-point assessment register to exclude ‘rogues’

The government is “strengthening” the approvals process for its register of end-point assessment organisations following an FE Week exposé…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Treasury, not DfE, holding up apprenticeship fee reduction

  The Department for Education is waiting for the Treasury to let them announce a start date for when…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA publishes AEB funding rules and extends free courses to workers earning just over £16,000

Adults earning less than the national living wage and who live outside of Mayoral combined authorities with devolution deals…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA calls for funding rules feedback to make them ‘clearer’

The Education and Skills Funding Agency has asked employers and providers for feedback on the way it provides apprenticeship…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA in NAO firing line as Ofsted left to expose lack of off-the-job training

On the same day the National Audit Office revealed the government has “limited assurance” the 20 per cent off-the-job-training…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Let the games begin: competition hots up for TeamUK place at WorldSkills Kazan

Nearly 80 of the UK’s most skilled young people are battling it out in a five-day competition this week…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Colleges on the frontline of a divided nation

As social media algorithms fuel intolerance and binary thinking, college staff increasingly find themselves dealing with the fallout. Jessica…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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