News

College still allowed to provide apprenticeships despite ‘inadequate’ Ofsted

A college rated ‘inadequate’ for its apprenticeship provision more than seven months ago was given special dispensation to remain…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

IfA approves quality assurer that is scheduled to close

A company approved to provide external quality assurance for digital apprenticeships will fold in September, in a situation described…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ofsted watch: Top grade for independent learning provider

An independent learning provider has boosted its grade to ‘outstanding’ – reversing a trend that has seen a number…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Enforcement measures proposed to keep kids in education until 18

Enforcement measures should be introduced to make sure that 16-to-18-year-olds participate in education and training, a leading sector figure…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Carillion update: £1.4m apprentice rescue package

Cash incentives of £1,000 are being offered to every employer who takes on apprentices caught up in the collapse…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Revealed: Gove was forced to create UTCs

As education secretary, Michael Gove was “forced” to create university technology colleges by George Osborne and David Cameron, a…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

Learndirect enters redundancy talks

Learndirect has entered redundancy talks with an unknown amount of its staff. A consultation on job losses was launched…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Nearly £25m in non-levy cash went to new providers

Around £25 million was given to providers entering the apprenticeship market for the first time in the controversial non-levy…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
14-16

Colleges ditch 14-16 provision to save their reputation

Two huge colleges are walking away from their 14-to-16 provision because the government’s new progress measures are too “onerous”…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Qualifications WILL be allowed for apprenticeships

Strict rules that apprenticeships cannot involve qualifications are set to be overturned next week, FE Week understands, potentially unsticking…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Colleges must meet Gatsby career benchmarks or lose money

Colleges have been warned that they could be stripped of funding if they do not comply with the government’s…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Metro mayors commit to growing BAME apprenticeships

Five city mayors have committed to increasing the number of apprentices from ethnic minority and disadvantaged backgrounds. The ‘Five…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

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