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
News

Second round of T-levels teacher programme opens

Colleges and other post-16 providers are being urged to bid for cash to train industry experts as teachers, in…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

ESFA finally launches ‘tougher’ apprenticeship provider register

The “tougher” register of apprenticeship training providers has finally reopened, more than a year after the last window closed….

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Sixth form funding rates to remain unchanged in 2019/20

Funding rates for 16 to 19-year-olds will remain unchanged next year, the government has confirmed – prompting disappointment from…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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