News

IfA extends T-level content consultation deadline after sector criticism

The Institute for Apprenticeships has extended the deadline on its latest T-levels consultation by four working days, following outcry…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Nine things we learned from the DfE’s T-levels response

The Department for Education has today published its response to its consultation on T-levels. It sought opinions on the…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Final Institutes of Technology shortlist announced

The 16 providers in the final stage of the government’s competition to open Institutes of Technology have been revealed….

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

T-level full roll-out delayed until 2023, DfE confirms

The full roll-out of T-levels has been delayed until September 2023 after concerns were raised about the planned pace…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

AoC’s new president wants to give learners their voice

The new president-elect of the Association of Colleges will campaign to get his fellow principals to involve learners far…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

T-level content published – but 5 day consultation deadline branded ‘staggering’

The Institute for Apprenticeships is giving the FE sector just five working days to respond to its consultation on…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Commissioner credits improvements at college Ofsted branded ‘unsafe’

The FE Commissioner has recognised improvements at a financially challenged college that was recently branded grade four by Ofsted…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

FE college incorporated just four years ago told to merge

An FE college that was that was only incorporated in 2014 is no longer sustainable as a standalone institution,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

London colleges hit with strikes – but exams go on

London has been a hotbed of industrial unrest this week – but the Association of Colleges is claiming that…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted watch: Mixed bag at three ‘new’ apprenticeship providers

Three early monitoring visit reports on new apprenticeship providers were published this week and produced a mixed bag. Lean…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Mayor of London blames DfE for having to top-slice AEB

The Greater London Authority is locked in a war of words with the government over Sadiq Khan’s plan to…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Universities battle with IfA over degree funding cuts

Universities are butting heads with the Institute for Apprenticeships over funding-rate reductions – and many may even stop offering…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

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