News

Struggling PM pledges to create best ever technical education system

Theresa May spelled out plans to create a first class technical education system for the first time in our…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ex LeSoCo principal steps in at troubled Totton College

The leader of a troubled college has stepped down just 18 months into the job – and will be…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

NHS takes action against Learndirect Apprenticeships

Learndirect Apprenticeships Ltd has been removed from part of the purchasing system used by London hospitals, following a joint…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Milton wants flexibility, not ‘the dead hand of the state’

The skills minister has admitted she’s heard serious concerns about the government’s apprenticeship reforms, but claims there is “just…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

National Audit Office to investigate Learndirect and the DfE

The National Audit Office has officially launched an investigation into Learndirect and the Department for Education following outcry from…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

AEB contracts boost will be paid from unspent £200m

Funding increases in adult education budget contracts for private providers will be paid from the massive underspend on adult…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Somerset provider reopens courses after major AEB increase – but it’s still £1m short

A large community learning provider in Somerset has reopened courses today after the government granted it substantial extra emergency…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Greening announces 27 new degree apprenticeship projects, but no new money

UPDATE: HEFCE has now announced details of the 27 projects on its website.  We’ve alerted the DfE ———————————————————————————————————— Justine Greening…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

DfE confirms HE fee policy change WILL apply to FE loans

The government’s proposed rise in the repayment threshold for student loans will apply to FE loans, it has been…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

ESFA finds additional AEB funding in effort to solve tender chaos

The ESFA has confirmed it has found additional adult education budget funding and sent out letters to relevant independent…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE to announce solution to AEB tender chaos later today

UPDATE: An hour after publishing this article the ESFA sent out electronic letters confirming the additional AEB funding (click…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Review of apprentice provider list planned

The government is already planning to review its register of apprenticeship training providers, but not until the new window…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross

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