News

Special Interview: Lord Baker defends UTCs as problems pile up

Lord Baker has mounted a robust defence of university technical colleges, despite the growing list of setbacks to befall…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Bitter pay dispute between unions and AoC escalates

An argument over pay between unions and the Association of Colleges has worsened, after the latter refused to enter…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Apprenticeship provider’s ban lifted after just two months

An apprenticeship provider whose training was branded “not fit for purpose” just two months ago has been allowed to…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Employers clash with Institute for Apprenticeships over FE teacher funding bands

The group developing three long-delayed FE teaching standards is in a bitter stand-off with the Institute for Apprenticeships, claiming…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Union fury as college boss gets 31% pay rise

The boss of a college that saw its turnover slashed last year was given a huge 31-per-cent salary increase…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Beleaguered NCG faces another full Ofsted inspection

It is crunch time at the nation’s largest college group, which is cutting staff and faces the return of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

National Audit Office slams DfE oversight of Student Loans Company

The Department for Education has been heavily criticised for its oversight of the Student Loans Company during the tenure…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Shock leadership change at London sixth form college

The principal of a London sixth-form college with a history of financial problems has been very suddenly replaced. It…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Struggling UTC rebrands and joins academy trust

Another struggling university technical college has denied distancing itself from the UTC movement despite a rebrand now that it…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Staff at colleges striking for up to 7 days in exam season

Staff at a host of colleges across the country will walk out on strike for up to seven days…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Government ignoring apprentices in mental health plans

Apprentices have been ignored in the government’s plans to improve support for learners with mental ill-health, according to a…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Robert Halfon questions key principle behind new T-levels

The former skills minister has appeared to question the whole design principle behind the government’s plan for prestigious new…

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