News

Monthly update: apprenticeship starts down 39 per cent in April

Apprenticeship starts for April are down 39 per cent, compared with the same period in 2016. There have been…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

‘Preferred’ Social Mobility Commission chair wants ‘complete overhaul’ of FE

The government’s preferred candidate to chair the Social Mobility Commission has told MPs that the FE sector needs a…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Names of over 60 colleges involved in new careers hubs revealed

The names of more than 60 FE colleges set to play key roles in new hubs, which the education…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ofqual launch 52 question T-level consultation – but four week deadline a ‘shame’

Ofqual has today launched a consultation about how it will regulate T-levels – but has only given the sector…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Chair of college embroiled in bitter merger row resigns

The embattled chair of a London college that was at the centre of a bitter row with staff and…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Learndirect criticised by Ofsted for ‘confusion’ over apprentices’ transfer

Leaders at Learndirect have been criticised by Ofsted for causing “confusion and uncertainty” over the transfer of their apprentices…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Careers and Enterprise Company agrees to publish board minutes

The Careers and Enterprise Company has responded to savage criticism from MPs over secrecy by finally agreeing to publish its…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

IfA yet to review duplicate and low-skill standards

The Institute for Apprenticeships has yet to carry out any formal review of duplicate, narrow or low-skill standards –…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted watch: Bad week for providers – especially UTCs

It was a poor week for providers who received full inspections, as one failed to improve its grade three…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Great Debate on apprenticeships: time for stability, or major change?

The motion: This house believes the fall in apprenticeship starts since last May and the unspent levy proves urgent…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Three ‘inadequate’ UTCs in a week as Lord Baker blames Ofsted

Ofsted has dealt a series of devastating blows to university technical colleges this week, with three of the 14-to-19…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

3aaa inspection ‘incomplete’ as whistleblowing sparks review

An investigation is being carried out by government officials into apprenticeship giant Aspire Achieve Advance, after claims made by a…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Colleges on the frontline of a divided nation

As social media algorithms fuel intolerance and binary thinking, college staff increasingly find themselves dealing with the fallout. Jessica…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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