News

Learndirect special treatment update: Student protection plan demanded as no contracts are terminated

Even Learndirect’s own membership body, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, has demanded a full explanation of how the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: Two providers crash two grades to inadequate

Ofsted has hit the headlines over the publication of its damning grade four-overall verdict on FE giant Learndirect –…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ex-Wales footballer among 6 facing trial next month on FE fraud charges

An ex-Wales international footballer and five others will stand trial next month following a serious fraud office investigation. The…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted inspection report for Learndirect finally published

Ofsted has this morning published their inspection report for Learndirect, the largest training provider in the UK. Download here….

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

What do the people behind the privatisation of Learndirect think now?

Former publicly-owned FE giant Learndirect recently lost a High Court battle to quash an ‘inadequate’ rating from Ofsted, which…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

College clings on to RoATP despite ‘inadequate’ apprenticeships

The Department for Education has remained silent over why a college with a grade four for its apprenticeship provision…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

Adult education budget descends into chaos

Training providers are unhappy over the handling the adult education budget procurement process, with having their contracts rejected despite…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Exclusive: Grade four Ofsted-rated provider in administration

A Norfolk-based provider that was hit with a grade four Ofsted rating in May has entered into administration, FE…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

DfE confirms special treatment will be given to Learndirect

This evening the Department for Education said that it will not, as would typically be the case, serve a…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Government ‘making it up as they go along’ on non-levy tendering

The government has been accused of “making it up as they go along” on critical questions over non-levy tendering,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Rejected appeal application looks like the beginning of the end for Learndirect

The country’s biggest training provider has had its desperate attempt to appeal against a judicial review flatly rejected –…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

A-Level results 2017 | Live blog

A-level results day is here!  Today’s the day when A-level learners up and down the country find out whether…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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