News

Ofsted watch: sixth form college plummets after 10-year inspection wait

A sixth form college that hadn’t received an inspection for 10 years sank from ‘outstanding’ to ‘requires improvement’ –…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Struggling college has ‘agreed to release’ principal

A college that recently switched merger partner following an Ofsted grade four has “agreed to release” its principal. The…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

No Birmingham colleges make apprenticeships register

The nation’s second largest city may not have an FE college delivering apprenticeships when the levy launches in April,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Outrage at decision to widen admissions for small sixth form

The controversial decision to widen admissions at a struggling small-school sixth form has come in for fierce criticism, due…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted boss commits to more ‘positive and purposeful’ approach to FE

Ofsted’s new chief inspector was vowed to “reset” the relationship between the education watchdog and colleges, in her first…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Sector in shock: Apprenticeship provider register winners and losers

The selection process for the new register of apprenticeship training providers has been branded an “omnishambles”, after providers with…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Exclusive: National College fails to make Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers

A high profile new government-backed national college has failed to make it onto the new Register of Apprenticeship Training…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Uncertain future for 900 learners as Chesterfield provider calls in administrators

A national training provider has called in the administrators – leaving up to 900 learners uncertain about their futures…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Company shuts down just days before SFA gives them green light for apprenticeship delivery

Update, November 1, 2017: The company has now confirmed to FE Week that it is continuing to operate, following…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Colleges delivering hundreds of apprenticeships ‘surprised’ to be left off new provider register

A number of major apprenticeship delivering colleges are “stunned”, “disappointed” and “frustrated” at not being on the new Register…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Breaking: SFA delays announcement of allocations for non-levy funding

Allocation worth up to £440m for delivering apprenticeship training to non-levy employers have been delayed by the Skills Funding Agency,…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Breaking: Halfon sets out priorities for 2017-18 in skills funding letter

Spending priorities for 2017-18 have been set out by minister Robert Halfon in the annual Skills Funding letter. The…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

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