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
News

The six main findings from the NAO’s report into Learndirect

The National Audit Office has today published its report into the circumstances surrounding the monitoring, inspection and funding of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Skills to be at the heart of social mobility plan

FE and skills will have a major role to play in a new social mobility action plan being launched…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

NAO report: So which minister signed off on Learndirect’s special treatment?

The special treatment afforded to Learndirect after its infamous grade four from Ofsted was actually a ministerial decision, even…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

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
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