News

Pressure mounts on Hinds to explain £500m apprenticeship ‘alleged overspend’

The chair of the influential education select committee has urged the government to be “open and transparent” about a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Barring learners with fewer than three Ds ‘access to student loans’ is ‘retrograde step’

Proposals to deny student loans to learners who achieve fewer than three Ds in their A-levels have been branded…

John Dickens
John Dickens
News

Why the ESFA wants more apprenticeship providers – despite no starts at over 500 last year

The government’s top apprenticeships civil servant has defended the decision to allow more providers on to the provider register…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted Watch: Three providers rated ‘good’ in first inspections

It’s been a big week for new providers, with five first-time inspection reports published – three of which resulted…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

AoC fears college apprenticeships market share will shrink further

The Association of Colleges has warned that colleges’ share of the apprenticeship market will continue to shrink, after FE…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Bailout cash will still be available under new insolvency regime

Colleges will still be able to access some bailout funding once the insolvency regime comes into effect next year…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

MBA apprenticeships defended by their biggest provider

As management degree apprenticeships continue to hit the headlines, with sector leaders voicing growing concern about their rising costs,…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

ESFA insists the apprenticeship budget is not under pressure

The top apprenticeship civil servant has sought to reassure the sector after fears were raised of a budget overspend…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

3aaa police enquiries continue as DfE ‘has not yet completed its work’

The police will only decide whether to launch a criminal investigation into disgraced apprenticeship firm Aspire Achieve Advance after…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Revealed: How two businessmen left a trail of insolvency and debt in the apprenticeship market

A month-long FE Week investigation has uncovered a trail of insolvency and debt left by two businessmen, David Harper…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

IfA consulting on content for five new T-level pathways

The Institute for Apprenticeships is seeking input from providers, awarding organisations and employers on the draft content for five…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Provider to challenge ‘inadequate’ grade after Ofsted found copy and paste assignments

A private provider rated ‘inadequate’ across the board by Ofsted has launched an appeal against the grade and accused…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross

Must read

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
Adult education, ITPs

Mayors dump adult education cuts on independent training providers

Up to two-thirds axed from devolved procured budgets

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read