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
News

Conservatives accused of ‘hiding’ ministers from press scrutiny

The Conservatives have been accused of hiding from FE Week in the run-up to the general election – and…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Horror show for degree apprenticeships

There’s no sign that the non-levy allocations farrago will be solved any time soon – and now higher education…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

College pays learners to complete online courses

A college in the north-east has used public funds to pay its students cash bonuses for completing online short…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson


News

Principal standing down of recently created FE college

The principal of  Prospects College of Advanced Technology is set to retire, after guiding it through becoming the first…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News, WorldSkills 2017

Final two Team UK competitors selected for WorldSkills 2017

A chef from The Ritz and a car painter who works for a national crash repair company have been…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

IFS: Parties’ spending plans leave 16 to 18 education with 10% less than schools

General election manifesto plans of all three major parties’ proposals will leave spending for 16 to 18-year-olds around 10…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Breaking: Sixth form college principal resigns with immediate effect

The surprise resignation of Bolton Sixth Form College’s principal has been confirmed this morning to FE Week, three days…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted watch: Three providers drop to ‘requires improvement’

It’s been a largely disappointing week, as all three published full FE and skills inspection reports resulted in a drop…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Merger of two London colleges agreed

Two London colleges have finally agreed to merge, more than 18 months after the link between them was first…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission

Deprived areas need vision – not victimhood – to level up, and Social Mobility Commission chair Alun Francis is…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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