News

DfE publishes indicators for potential fraud in education providers

Working “unusual” hours and claims in excess of actual expenses have been listed as indicators for training providers that…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Two more providers removed from T-levels 2020 delivery

Two providers will no longer deliver the first wave of T-levels after one received a low Ofsted rating and…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

ESFA bans six more new providers from taking on apprentices

Six more providers have received temporary bans on recruiting apprentices as Ofsted continues its scrutiny of new provision, with…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

DfE reveals colleges allocated £470m in financial support

Around £470 million has now been allocated by the government to cover the costs of implementing post-area review changes…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Hadlow Group senior leader resigns as FE Commissioner steps in

The FE Commissioner has intervened at the Hadlow Group as its deputy chief executive hands in his resignation, FE…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Is your MP one of the 164 lobbying the chancellor for more FE funding?

A cross-party letter has been signed by 164 MPs and handed to the chancellor demanding an above inflation increase…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Scrap GCSEs and A-levels in favour of ‘holistic baccalaureate’ says education committee chair

GCSEs and A-levels should be scrapped and replaced with one “holistic baccalaureate” for 18-year-olds which recognises academic and technical…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE admits lack of action to enforce Baker clause in schools

The Baker clause has been labelled a “law without teeth” after it emerged the government did not take any…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Ofsted watch: Another positive week for providers

It has been another positive week for new apprenticeship providers, with many scoring encouraging results in their early monitoring…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

ESFA delays European Social Fund tender contracting for second time after ‘error’

A fresh 10-day standstill period has been issued by the Education and Skills Funding Agency for European Social Fund…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Principal defends college merger facilitated by £30 million bailout

Merging with a college that was “struggling for financial survival” and required a £30 million bailout from the government…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

DfE commission research to review high prices for apprentices with prior learning

The government is looking into whether apprenticeship delivery is being adjusted to account for apprentices’ prior learning, a sign…

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