News

Education ministers retain their seats

All the key education figures from Labour and the Conservatives have been re-elected, while long-time FE champion Vince Cable…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

General election result: what does it mean for FE?

The Conservatives look set to continue with their skills agenda after Theresa May managed to secure a deal to…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Election night 2017: The constituencies to watch if you work in FE

It’s been one of the most eventful and uncertain election campaigns in recent history, and now it’s almost over. The…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Free Financial Times offer is for FE students too

Students from colleges and independent training providers will be able to read the Financial Times for free, despite the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Desperate college seeks university take-over before merger consultation even begins

A struggling London college is preparing to hand over wide-ranging control of how it is run to a university,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Two large colleges pull back from inadequate Ofsted ratings

Two large colleges have pulled back from ‘inadequate’ Ofsted ratings – with both recognised for improved performance in reports…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

‘Patchy’ progress with work training for special needs

A government drive to help young people with learning difficulties and disabilities prepare for the world of work is…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Traineeship to apprenticeship progression rates fall below 20%

The proportion of adult trainees funded by the ESFA who progress onto an apprenticeship has dipped below 20 per…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

NSAFD U-turns on mandatory vetting of apprenticeship qualifications

In an embarrassing U-turn, the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink has dropped controversial plans for mandatory vetting…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

University technical colleges plan to switch recruitment age to 13

University technical colleges across the country are planning to recruit students a year before their standard 14 starting age,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: Traineeships silver lining for provider stuck on grade three

Independent training provider Nottinghamshire Training Network found itself stuck at a grade three this week, with all its provision deemed…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

UTC applications surge after letters sent to parents

The body that runs the university technical colleges has been making bold claims about a surge in demand for…

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