News

Spielman: Ofsted to begin hunt for ‘scandalous’ apprenticeship providers

Ofsted will conduct early monitoring visits at new providers entering the apprenticeship market to sniff out any “scandalous” attempts…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Over 70,000 to attend sixth annual Skills Show this week

More than 70,000 visitors are expected to pack out the sixth annual Skills Show in Birmingham this week, and…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

BREAKING: Institute for Apprenticeships appoints board member as chief executive

The new chief executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships is military man Sir Gerry Berragan, who was previously unveiled…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

AoC Conference: Milton pleas for renewed ‘partnership’ with colleges

Anne Milton wants a refreshed “partnership” between FE and the government to help with the technical education reforms. The…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

AoC Conference day one: Jeremy Corbyn’s key FE pledges

Jeremy Corbyn will expand on his party’s plans to offer free lifelong education through a National Education Service later…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

FE practitioner research movement gathers pace

As one college principal puts out a call for greater support for practitioner research, moves are afoot to create…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

UTC makes impressive turnaround – then ditches the brand

A university technical college which clawed its way up two Ofsted ratings in eight months has denied distancing itself…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Apprentice travel discounts yet to manifest

Six months after the Conservatives committed to cutting travel costs for apprentices in their election manifesto, there is no…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: Impressive week for FE colleges

It’s been an outstanding week for general FE colleges, with one awarded a grade one and a second going…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted returns to Learndirect as the provider fights for survival

Ofsted has completed its first monitoring visit at Learndirect, as the provider attempts to improve on its ‘inadequate’ rating…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA threatens to bring forward data deadlines

The ESFA has threatened to move the deadlines for individualised learner records (ILR) forward because it reckons too many…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Government rejects call for change on end-point assessment

The government has rejected a call from an influential parliamentary group for at least one end-point assessment organisation to…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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