News

Damning Ofsted visit brands special needs charity’s apprenticeships ‘inadequate’

A charity which supports people with special needs has been rated ‘inadequate’ in every category in a damning Ofsted…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Ofsted boss backs calls for more 16-to-18 cash to combat falling standards

Ofsted’s chief inspector has offered her “strong view” that 16-to-18 funding should be increased in the forthcoming spending review,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Head of post-18 review remains tight-lipped after budget offers no ‘little extras’ for FE

The chair of the government’s post-18 education review remained tight-lipped on whether it will result in more funding for…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

NHS trusts urged to spend apprenticeship levy faster or risk losing their funds

Health Education England has written to NHS trusts encouraging them to use or transfer their apprenticeship levy funds after…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

ESFA reveals plans for new tougher apprenticeship provider register

The Education and Skills Funding Agency has revealed plans to tighten up rules for training providers wanting to get…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Treasury backtrack on April apprenticeship fee cut start date

The Treasury has thrown the start date into doubt for when the 10-per-cent fee that small businesses pay when…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Ofsted slate wiped clean for grade four UTC joining MAT

A university technical college rated ‘inadequate’ earlier this year will have its Ofsted slate wiped clean as it joins a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Budget 2018: Apprentice minimum wage set to rise again

The national minimum wage for apprentices will rise again in April, from £3.70 to £3.90 per hour, the chancellor…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Budget 2018: Apprenticeship fees halved to 5% for small businesses

The 10-per-cent fee that small businesses must pay when they take on apprentices will be halved, the chancellor has…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Greater London Authority’s adult education budget tender launched

The Greater London Authority has become the first devolved area to launch a tender for its adult education budget….

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Revealed: Another four apprenticeship providers banned from taking new recruits

Four more apprenticeship providers have been banned from taking on new starts after facing criticism from Ofsted – bringing…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Ofsted Watch: Mixed results for private providers

It has been a mixed week for independent learning providers, after four were found lacking in Ofsted inspections –…

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