News

Mystery surrounds late Learndirect performance breach

The nation’s largest FE provider has finally been hit with a serious performance breach notice, a month after its…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Almost 400 staff face uncertain summer through post-merger job cuts plan

Nearly 400 staff at one of the largest colleges in the country face an uncertain future while post-merger restructuring…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

First degree apprentices in UK graduate

The first group of degree apprentices in the UK have graduated today, with seven out of the 11 gaining…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Statistics regulator pressured DfE into achievement rate U-turn

The government was pressured into its major U-turn on the publication of hidden achievement rate data in the wake…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

DfE confirms £267m underspend of 16-19 budget in last two years

A whopping £130 million per year has gone unspent in 16 to 19 funding for each of the past…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Government breaks deferred loan repayments promise

Learners stuck with heavy loans debt but no qualifications, after a training provider went bust, are still being forced…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

All three Tees Valley area review merger proposals fall through

All three mergers proposed by the Tees Valley area review have now fallen through. News of the breakdown in…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Corbyn demands end of FE loans in new Labour push

The government will be pressured by Labour in the coming months to scrap advanced learner loans, its leader Jeremy…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted watch: Kendal College falls from grade one

This week brought disappointment for Kendal College, which lost its ‘outstanding’ Ofsted grade and dropped down to ‘good’. The…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Learner satisfaction still highest with private providers

Private training providers have maintained their near 10-point lead over colleges in the government’s annual learner satisfaction survey, which…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Sharp rise in loans for EU students before Brexit

There was a sharp rise in the number of EU students taking up advanced learner loans this year despite…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted exposed over failure to monitor 1,200 subcontractors

Ofsted has completely failed to act on a change in its rules that allow it directly to inspect subcontractors…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

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