News

ESFA appoints new chair to management board

Irene Lucas has been named the new chair of the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s management board. Ms Lucas…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Social Mobility Commission report warns of ‘virtuous’ and ‘vicious’ cycle of adult learning

The poorest adults with the lowest qualifications are the least likely to access training despite needing it the most,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

T-levels timescale still ‘worryingly tight’, IfA boss says ahead of technical education takeover

The boss of the organisation that will assume powers for T-levels this week has said the delivery timeline is…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Strikes suspended at two colleges to ratify pay deals

Strike action at two colleges has been suspended at the last minute, after governors at one requested more time…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

College students see their petition on funding debated in parliament

Creating a petition signed by tens of thousands of people and a debate attended by as many as 50…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofsted watch: Up-and-down week for FE

It’s been an up-and-down week for the FE sector, which saw a return of three ‘good’ ratings, but two…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon


News

Number of approved apprenticeship standards to hit 400 next week

The number of apprenticeship standards approved for delivery is set to hit 400 next week, a little over a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted exposes apprenticeship firm for recruiting without ‘integrity’ and breaking funding rules

A new provider has been exposed by Ofsted after inspectors found it failed to recruit apprentices with “integrity” and…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Management apprenticeships continue to soar as Milton ‘thrilled’ with rise in starts

Management standards are continuing their reign as the most popular apprenticeships, according to the first statistics for 2018/19 published…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Providers that plan for less than 20% off-the-job training will have ‘all funding recovered’

Apprenticeships found to be planned with less than the minimum 20 per cent off-the-job training will be “ineligible and…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

GLA ploughs ahead with subcontracting fees cap – but DfE still dragging its heels

The Greater London Authority is one step closer to capping management fees when it takes control of the adult…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Long-delayed FE teacher apprenticeship standards ready for delivery next week

Three FE teaching apprenticeship standards will be ready for delivery from next week following a successful funding-band appeal against…

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