News

Ofqual considers special treatment for new AOs

New apprenticeship exam bodies are next in line for special treatment, after Ofqual hinted that it’s considering a lighter…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

ESFA breaks its promise to audit untested providers

The Education and Skills Funding Agency has missed its own deadline to make sure new providers approved to deliver…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Massive £1bn FE loans underspend revealed

A massive 58 per cent of FE loans funding – amounting to almost £1 billion – has not been…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Rotherham AO investigated by regulators twice in two years

An awarding organisation is under investigation by regulators for the second time in two years after an anonymous tip-off….

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

NHS ‘reviews’ Learndirect Apprenticeships’ status as a provider

An apprenticeship provider created by the owners of Learndirect last year could be kicked off the purchasing system used by…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

AELP calls on government to fund level two apprenticeships in full

Level two apprenticeships should be fully funded by the government at every age group, the AELP has said. This…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Festival of Learning award winners named

A refugee who fled Afghanistan alone at the age of 16 has been crowned ‘outstanding individual learner’ at this…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Corbyn speaking at AoC annual conference

Jeremy Corbyn will address this year’s Association of Colleges annual conference. The annual event at at the ICC in…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

ETF tenders new FE training programme for future CEOs

Half a million pounds is on offer to run a new leadership training programme for senior FE managers looking…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

AoC boss expresses regret over 1 per cent pay offer

The Association of Colleges has expressed regret for offering staff a one-per-cent payrise – and has come in for…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Cable backs lifelong learning accounts at Lib Dems conference

The Liberal Democrat leader has backed the creation of lifelong learning accounts in his party conference speech today. Sir…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Two thirds of loan-funded learners from collapsed providers still lack alternative provision

Over two thirds of learners from providers that have collapsed – leaving them with huge loan debt but no…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

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
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden