News

Government unwilling to take action on qualifications fraud fears

An awarding organisation that fell victim to a high-profile case of qualifications fraud has called on the government to…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted makes multiple changes to report after complaints

A senior Ofsted inspector has apologised after the inspectorate accepted multiple challenges to the wording of a report on…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Lammy: Bring back night schools to save adult education

A new parliamentary campaign has been launched by the MP David Lammy to try and counter the sweeping cuts…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

College faces £10,000 replacement bus bill over train strikes

A college in Sussex is bearing the full brunt of staff strikes at Southern Rail, having to shell out…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Providers in limbo as ‘no date’ for adult education budget procurement launch

Providers have been left in the dark about when procurement for adult education budget contracts will be launched for…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Late publication of ‘customer service’ guide for area reviews described as ‘beyond parody’

The government’s decision to publish today a “customer service” guide explaining what colleges can expect from area reviews –…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

PM’s mental health first aid training pledge only for schools, not colleges

The Prime Minister’s pledge to roll out mental health first aid training to education staff working with young people…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Wave three area review reports and recommendations published

This afternoon the Department for Education published most of the reports and recommendations for its area reviews in wave…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Investigation launched after former SFA senior manager embroiled in alleged Israeli plot

An investigation has been launched into whether the civil service code has been breached, after a former Skills Funding…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Qualifications achievement rates dashboard still unavailable after days of problems

The promised new qualifications achievement rates dashboard for apprenticeships, education and training will still be unavailable until at least…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Skills Funding Agency to remain in charge of assessment organisation register

The Skills Funding Agency will stay in charge of the new register of apprentice assessment organisations, despite its slow…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

DfE writes off another £3m from undersubscribed UTCs

Over £3 million of taxpayers’ money has been lost by the Department for Education, through unrecovered payments to failed…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson

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