News

Ofsted watch: Week of extreme contrasts for providers

A week of extreme contrasts for FE saw the second college in two weeks scoop an ‘outstanding’ rating, while…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Minister met with key studio school officials to discuss ‘review’ of model

Academies minister Lord Nash met with key officials from the studio schools programme to discuss a review of the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

UTCs demand more funding than mainstream schools

The body behind the ailing university technical college model has called on the government to apportion more funding to…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Controversial 2014/15 achievement rate data will now be published

The government has U-turned on its decision not to publish controversial achievement rate data – after FE Week revealed…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Anger as IfA’s apprentice panel presentation postponed

Fears are growing that apprentices may lose their voice at the top level, after the Institute for Apprenticeships deferred…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Second FE college gets grade one Ofsted in two weeks

The sector may have had to endure an agonising 14-month wait for Ofsted to rate a general FE college…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

AEB contracts extended as tender results delayed further

The delay to results for the Adult Education Budget (AEB) tender will last until the end of July, the Education…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Area review ignored as central London set for second mega-college merger

A London college that had been set for a ground-breaking partnership with an adult learning provider has announced plans…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Recipe for confusion concern as IfA seeks up to 150 expert advisers

A call for up to 150 industry experts to join new Institute for Apprenticeships advisory panels, has prompted concerns…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Learndirect : One in ten staff could face redundancy at nation’s largest provider

The nation’s largest training provider is consulting on a new wave of redundancies – with its chief executive admitting…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

ESFA concern: providers subcontracting to employers

Providers using employers as subcontractors in ways that are “contrary to the spirit” of the apprenticeship reforms will face…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Skills minister the fixer promises to listen and ‘make it work’

The new skills minister has reassured the sector that her motivation in the role is “to make it work”…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson

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