News

Ofsted claims ‘huge number’ of £2.4m set-aside for research projects will be FE-related

Ofsted will soon call on FE providers to help it undertake a “huge” amount of FE-related research projects, according…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Delay of at least a year to apprenticeship system expansion could leave 1,500 providers out in the cold

Over 1,500 training providers on the government’s apprenticeships register will not have direct access to funding for small employers…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Sector leaders unite against T-level plans that would force students to wait a year for a retake

Sector leaders have urged Ofqual to reconsider its proposal to only allow T-level exams in the summer, as it…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Baker clause update: DfE gears up to start ‘direct intervention’ as minister encourages providers to grass on schools

The Department for Education is threatening “direct intervention” from September at schools that are failing to open their doors…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Hope for ESFA cap on subcontracting management fees ‘kicked into the long grass’

The government’s decision about introducing a cap on subcontracting management fees has been “kicked into the long grass” –…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: A ‘reasonable’ week for new apprenticeship providers

It’s been a ‘reasonable’ week for FE and skills, as two ‘new’ apprenticeship providers have been given the thumbs…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

AEB devolution plan to link job outcomes with funding will require more robust learner destination data

Sadiq Khan is demanding London’s training providers collect more robust learner destination data as he ploughs ahead with plans…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA set to rule on calls for a subcontracting management fee cap

The Education and Skills Funding Agency will imminently publish its first ever policy for management fees in subcontracting –…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted: more cash needed before campus-level inspections become reality

Ofsted is keen to introduce campus-level inspections but would need more cash from the Department for Education before they…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted criticised for allowing college mergers to be excuse for turning a blind eye to failure

The chair of the influential education select committee has called on Ofsted to “learn the lessons” from Learndirect, after…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Education secretary ‘welcomes’ awarding bodies decision to withdraw T-levels legal challenge

Damian Hinds has “welcomed” the Federation of Awarding Bodies decision to drop its legal challenge against the government’s implementation…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Exclusive: T-level legal challenge dropped after DfE offer to ‘re-set the relationship’ with awarding bodies

The Federation of Awarding Bodies has dropped its legal challenge against the government’s T-level implementation plans – paving the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

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
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