News

Ofqual investigating provider after inspectorate found copy and paste assessments

Ofqual has confirmed it is investigating ‘copy and paste’ assessment allegations at a Newcastle-based training provider, uncovered during a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Providers could be left in no new business limbo for years after Ofsted apprenticeship monitoring visit

Apprenticeship providers could be forced to stop recruiting students for several years, if judged to be making ‘insufficient progress’…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Gordon Ramsay wades into row over learner with dwarfism claiming college rejection

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has waded into a row over a learner with dwarfism who claims to have been…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

College denies learner with dwarfism was refused place, following national media reports

A college has denied that a learner with dwarfism was refused a place on a cookery course, following national…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

No more Mr Nice Guy: AoC boss ‘angry’ and will switch from ‘polite’ calls for more funding to ‘action’

After 10 years of “politely” highlighting the impact of funding cuts, the Association of Colleges will now make “a…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

UCU launches national ballot for fresh college strike action over pay claim

The University and College Union has begun balloting its members for strike action, after colleges failed to meet their…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Ofsted watch: A ‘good’ two weeks for employer providers

It’s been a good two weeks for employer providers, as two have received ‘good’ ratings following their first ever…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted slaps provider with grade 4 after evidence of copy and paste assessments

A Newcastle-based training provider with contracts worth £3.5 million last year is facing having them pulled after receiving the…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Shell-shocked: Four giant tortoises stolen from college

UPDATE: Two of the four missing tortoises have been found. Geoffrey and Blastoise were located in the village of…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

DfE in firing line with former skills minister for ‘misrepresentation’ and ‘discourtesy’

Chair of the education select committee Robert Halfon has accused the Department for Education of misrepresentation and discourtesy. Yesterday…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Manchester College learner “excited about the future” after passing GCSEs on fifth attempt

A 19-year-old learner at The Manchester College is full of excitement for the future, having finally passed his English…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

GCSE resits 2018: maths results are down but English is up

Less than a quarter of the older students resitting their maths GCSEs in England achieved at least a grade…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

Must read

Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Qualifications

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Politics, Skills reform

DWP will take over apprenticeships, minister confirms

Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships policy will give “bigger emphasis on skills”, Jacqui Smith claims

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
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