News

IfA finally releases apprenticeship overspend presentation

The Institute for Apprenticeships has finally released a presentation given to employers that warned of an imminent apprenticeship overspend,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Anne Milton: Sixth Form Colleges Association winter conference 2019 speech in full

The skills minister Anne Milton delivered a keynote speech to the Sixth Form Colleges Association winter conference this morning,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA seeks training providers to deliver T-levels from 2021

Training providers can now bid to deliver T-levels in the second year of their rollout, the Education and Skills…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

New Ofsted framework to be less reliant on achievement rate data

Ofsted is looking to put “less emphasis” on achievement rate data in its proposed new inspection framework. The education…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Strike dates announced for 16 colleges locked in pay disputes

Members of the University and College Union at 16 colleges will walk out for two days starting January 29,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Controversial management degree apprenticeship celebrates third birthday

One of the most popular – and controversial – apprenticeship standards is celebrating its third birthday today. The chartered…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

DfE launches consultation on plans to fund £80m college pension contribution increase

The Department for Education is consulting on plans to provide extra funding to cover the estimated £80 million rise…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Fifth consecutive grade three Ofsted report for troubled London college

A London college previously at the centre of controversy involving the Grenfell Tower has received its fifth consecutive grade…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA appoints Kate Josephs as director of funding

A top government academies official has been appointed as the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s new director of funding….

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA shake-up places a new director of funding in charge of its £63 billion budget

The Education and Skills Funding Agency is preparing to move towards a “single Funding Operations Centre of Excellence” as…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Ofsted watch: Mixed week for FE providers

It has been a mixed week for FE in Ofsted reports, as some providers celebrated ‘good’ first inspections while…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Skills minister vows to ‘dig deeper’ into level 2 apprenticeships drop

The skills minister has vowed to “dig deeper” into the drop in level two apprenticeships, and whether it might…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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