News

Suffolk provider successfully contests Ofsted grade 4

A private training provider has successfully overturned an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted judgement after a nine-month battle which even saw inspectors…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Anne Milton to speak at AoC Conference

The skills minister will be speaking at this year’s Association of Colleges annual conference. Anne Milton’s address is guaranteed…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Barely half of eligible employers are on the levy system

Scarcely half of eligible employers have signed up to use the government’s apprenticeships system, new statistics published today suggest….

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Struggling PM pledges to create best ever technical education system

Theresa May spelled out plans to create a first class technical education system for the first time in our…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ex LeSoCo principal steps in at troubled Totton College

The leader of a troubled college has stepped down just 18 months into the job – and will be…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

NHS takes action against Learndirect Apprenticeships

Learndirect Apprenticeships Ltd has been removed from part of the purchasing system used by London hospitals, following a joint…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Milton wants flexibility, not ‘the dead hand of the state’

The skills minister has admitted she’s heard serious concerns about the government’s apprenticeship reforms, but claims there is “just…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

National Audit Office to investigate Learndirect and the DfE

The National Audit Office has officially launched an investigation into Learndirect and the Department for Education following outcry from…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

AEB contracts boost will be paid from unspent £200m

Funding increases in adult education budget contracts for private providers will be paid from the massive underspend on adult…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Somerset provider reopens courses after major AEB increase – but it’s still £1m short

A large community learning provider in Somerset has reopened courses today after the government granted it substantial extra emergency…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Greening announces 27 new degree apprenticeship projects, but no new money

UPDATE: HEFCE has now announced details of the 27 projects on its website.  We’ve alerted the DfE ———————————————————————————————————— Justine Greening…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

DfE confirms HE fee policy change WILL apply to FE loans

The government’s proposed rise in the repayment threshold for student loans will apply to FE loans, it has been…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Inside FE’s lifeline for under-16s: Stepping in where schools fail

More and more anxious 14-16 year olds not in school are starting afresh in colleges, but they are under-recognised,…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Young people

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
News

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen