News

NHS apprenticeships fall by more than a third

The number of people starting an apprenticeship with the NHS has fallen by more than third over the last…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Hull College boss: How I’m taking it out of intensive care

Hull College chief executive Michelle Swithenbank probably has the toughest job in FE right now. The former nurse has…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Milton ‘the fixer’: I just want to make it all work

It was exactly a year ago that we labelled the new skills minister Anne Milton “the fixer”, after she…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Federation of Awarding Bodies gets the lawyers in over T-levels

The Federation of Awarding Bodies is gearing up for possible legal action over T-levels following the start of a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Public Accounts Committee wants more DfE action on bad apprenticeships

The Department for Education must “weed out” poor apprenticeship provision, the Public Accounts Committee has said. A new report…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ex-schools minister proposes DfE shake-up to stop schools and HE favouritism

Education ministers’ portfolios need a major shake-up if the historic favouritism shown to schools and universities is to change,…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

Ofsted will keep its four-point grading system – for now

Ofsted will stick to its current four-point grading system in its new inspection framework – putting an end to…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Grade three Ofsted ratings confirmed for NCG and Intraining

The nation’s largest college group and its troubled private training provider have officially been downgraded to ‘requires improvement’, after…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Is the government about to scrap apprenticeship fees to woo back employers?

The 10-per-cent fee that small businesses must pay when they take on apprentices could be scrapped, according to the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

How to apply for T-level teacher training funds

Details of how providers can ask for money to train industry experts who will teach the first T-levels have…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

ESFA given ‘vote of confidence’ in managing apprenticeship and T-level reforms

The ESFA will manage the reforms to apprenticeships and T-levels from this September, in a “vote of confidence” from…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Anne Milton launches £22m construction skills fund

The skills minister has launched a new £22 million fund to help tackle construction skills shortages. The 18-month scheme…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

Must read

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
16-19

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
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