News

Government to ‘formally intervene’ at 35 providers with achievement rate failures

More than 30 private training providers, colleges and councils have been slapped with a notice of concern or serious breach,…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Confusion and anger as hundreds of apprenticeship providers left disappointed

Training providers without a current apprenticeship contract have hit back against the government’s surprise announcement this morning to deny them…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

BREAKING: Procurement paused for apprenticeships with smaller employers

The decision over funding allocations for apprenticeship provision for non-levy-paying employers has been be paused by the government, to allow…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

New Ofsted chair unveiled

A former university vice-chancellor has been appointed as the new chair of education watchdog Ofsted. Professor Julius Weinberg will…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Outstanding Ofsted verdict for private apprenticeships provider

An outstanding across the board rating has been handed out by Ofsted to a West Midlands independent training provider…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

AELP demands widespread changes to 20 per cent off-the-job apprenticeship training rule

Calls are being made for widespread changes to the minimum 20 per cent off-the-job training apprenticeship rule, in a…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson


News

Decision to retain forced maths and English GCSE resits ‘extremely’ disappointing

A government move to continue insisting on widespread GCSE maths and English resits – through the heavily criticised condition…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ofsted watch: College snubbed from register rated ‘outstanding’ for apprenticeships

A college that didn’t make it on to the government’s new Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers has received an…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Breaking: Ofsted launches official ‘good’ logo in policy U-turn

A new logo is being launched by Ofsted for providers rated ‘good’ – seven months after FE Week exclusively…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Skills Commission demands cross-departmental minister for lifelong learning

A group of key FE figures has called for a cross-departmental minister for a lifelong learning, through a new…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Sixth UTC hit with Ofsted inadequate grade

Pupils were “sold a dream” and had their “confidence and aspirations knocked” by a university technical college that has…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

HEFCE to regulate degree apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships will be regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and not by Ofsted. The news…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

Must read

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
Adult education

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets

Combined authorities told to expect reductions in ‘already deeply diminished’ adult skills funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen