News

Second consecutive ‘inadequate’ Ofsted inspection for previously grade two college

A land-based college has been rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted for the second time in a row – one of…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Employers use just 14% of their levy in first 18 months

Employers have used just under 14 per cent of their apprenticeship levy funds in the first 18 months since…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Ofsted watch: A ‘good’ week for sixth form colleges

It’s been a ‘good’ week for sixth form colleges, with a pair of grade two verdicts following full inspections….

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Damning Ofsted report finds apprentices went eight months with no training

Apprentices at one training provider had not had any training eight months after their start date, according to a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

‘Overwhelming’ vote of no confidence in principal who jumped ship before financial failings exposed

The University and College Union has demanded that ministers “step in and deal with the debacle” at City College…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Progress to public sector target slow at government departments

The government has published its progress towards the public sector apprenticeship target for the first time – and FE…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

Embattled college boss Dame Asha declines her £130k payout

The high-profile boss of a college in financial crisis resigned from her post without accepting any financial payout, walking…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

NCG resolves bitter pay dispute with its London colleges

A deal has been struck between the country’s largest college group and union members at its two London colleges…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Management apprenticeships double to make up a fifth of all starts on standards

The proportion of learners taking management apprenticeships has doubled in the last two years, with just ten of the…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Questions surround DfE’s ability to ban poor HE apprenticeship providers

Banning ‘insufficient’ new providers from recruiting apprentices may not be as simple as once thought, as confusion appears to…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Contradictory claims over UTC learner numbers from Baker Dearing Trust

The organisation behind the university technical college programme has claimed the number of 14-year-olds studying at the institutions is…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

College refuses to explain spending millions on mysterious subcontractor

A college has refused to explain why it has given £16.5 million over the last three years to a…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

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