News

Skills minister personally delays controversial Kensington college merger

A controversial merger between two London colleges has been delayed after an intervention from the skills minister and the…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Minster launches consultation on college insolvency roll-out

The skills minister is asking for views on how new college insolvency arrangements should be rolled out. An eight-week…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Delay to Institute of Apprenticeship taking on T-Levels but board expands to ‘bolster expertise’

The Institute for Apprenticeships will take responsibility for T-levels later than planned as it recruits new board members to…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

‘Inadequate’ employer provider still on apprenticeship register

A FTSE 100 employer-provider has not been kicked off the register of apprenticeship training providers, even though Ofsted gave…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Application window opens for £170 million Institutes of Technology cash

The application window has opened for providers that want to apply for a share of £170m available for new Institutes…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

ESFA to delay non-levy tender contracts as complaints mount up

The ESFA is extending the non-levy tender’s 10-day standstill period to December 28, meaning no contracts will be given…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Ofsted Watch: Two ‘inadequate’ providers make slow improvement

Two ‘inadequate’ training providers in Essex are making “reasonable progress” in improving their grades, but still have a long…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

College refers ‘allegations of mismanagement’ to ESFA

A college whose principal resigned in October amid “allegations of mismanagement” has referred the matter to the Education and…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted tells college to ditch ‘outstanding’ label

A college that Ofsted last visited 11 years ago, and which dodged an inspection in 2016 after a merger,…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Ofsted worried about lack of level 2 and 3 apprenticeships

Fewer level two and three apprenticeships are in development by proportion compared to higher and degree apprenticeships, which could…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

IfA: ‘Faster and better’ promise from new boss

The Institute of Apprenticeships will make its processes and policies “faster and better” in 2018, under the new regime…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Non-levy tender shocker: Defunct provider gets contract but ‘outstanding’ college misses out

An organisation that went out of business two months ago has been awarded a contract in the non-levy tender…

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