News

Two men plead guilty following Serious Fraud Office investigation into Luis Michael Training

Two men have pleaded guilty following a Serious Fraud Office investigation into now-defunct provider Luis Michael Training. Christopher Martin,…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Good-rated Somerset provider loses 97% of its adult education budget

A large adult community learning provider in Somerset has found itself at the sharp end of the adult education…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Did the government advise Learndirect to withdraw their AEB tender?

The Learndirect saga has taken a fresh twist today, after a government spokesperson admitted that the nation’s largest FE…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Cable speaks on new post-16 skills review after ‘dual mandate’ dumped

Vince Cable has accused the Conservatives of sweeping his “dual mandate” consultation for the FE sector under the carpet…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Learndirect special treatment: ESFA changes policy and awards £45m tender

The nation’s largest FE provider has been handed around £45 million from next years’ adult education budget even though…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE keeps apprenticeship funding model report secret

The government is refusing to release a crucial report that would show whether or not the forecasting tool it…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Learndirect: Parliamentary questions pile pressure on ministers for answers

Labour’s shadow skills minister has demanded official answers on whether Learndirect is getting special treatment from the government after…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Consultation launched on mega-London college merger amid Grenfell opposition

A public consultation has been launched on merger plans between two London Colleges, amid mounting opposition from Grenfell Tower…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

ESFA £650m non-levy tender has ‘descended into farce’

The troubled second attempt at an ESFA non-levy apprenticeship funding tender descended into chaos last night as a series…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Serious adult education budget procurement fears for third sector

Many charities will lose their direct contracts as a result of the controversial adult education budget procurement process, according…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ofsted to ask FE learners if they feel safe in residential provision

Ofsted is asking young people in residential provision at FE colleges if they feel safe and able to raise…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

BREAKING: Non-levy apprenticeship funding tender deadline extended

The non-levy apprenticeship funding tender timetable has been “amended” by the Department for Education, and the deadline for submissions…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

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