News

Seven things we learned from the government’s response to select committee apprenticeships report

The government has today published its response to the education select committee’s report, The apprenticeships ladder of opportunity: quality…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Sixteen colleges facing UCU strike action in the new year

Sixteen colleges across England face “significant disruption” in the new year, after members of the University and College Union…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

T-levels could be under threat if no deal Brexit goes ahead

The introduction of T-levels could be under threat if a “no deal” Brexit goes ahead, according to reports this…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

ESFA announce changes to 16 to 19 funding rules from August 2019

Study programme learners aged 16 to 19 who’ve passed GCSE English and maths are set to be barred from…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Pressure mounts on Hinds to explain £500m apprenticeship ‘alleged overspend’

The chair of the influential education select committee has urged the government to be “open and transparent” about a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Barring learners with fewer than three Ds ‘access to student loans’ is ‘retrograde step’

Proposals to deny student loans to learners who achieve fewer than three Ds in their A-levels have been branded…

John Dickens
John Dickens


News

Why the ESFA wants more apprenticeship providers – despite no starts at over 500 last year

The government’s top apprenticeships civil servant has defended the decision to allow more providers on to the provider register…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted Watch: Three providers rated ‘good’ in first inspections

It’s been a big week for new providers, with five first-time inspection reports published – three of which resulted…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

AoC fears college apprenticeships market share will shrink further

The Association of Colleges has warned that colleges’ share of the apprenticeship market will continue to shrink, after FE…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Bailout cash will still be available under new insolvency regime

Colleges will still be able to access some bailout funding once the insolvency regime comes into effect next year…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

MBA apprenticeships defended by their biggest provider

As management degree apprenticeships continue to hit the headlines, with sector leaders voicing growing concern about their rising costs,…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

ESFA insists the apprenticeship budget is not under pressure

The top apprenticeship civil servant has sought to reassure the sector after fears were raised of a budget overspend…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

Must read

Adult education, Apprenticeships, Skills reform

Apprenticeships purge: Team leader and chartered manager among 16 axed standards

Ministers also unveil the first 7 apprenticeship units

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Colleges, Politics

Joe Docherty: Labour peer quit college role over ‘inappropriate conduct’

The former education executive has been suspended by the party weeks after being sent to the House of Lords…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill and Gabriel Pogrund
Colleges, Long read

Inside FE’s lifeline for under-16s: Stepping in where schools fail

More and more anxious 14-16 year olds not in school are starting afresh in colleges, but they are under-recognised,…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Young people

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen