News

Rule change could price assessors out of running apprenticeship exams

It might not be financially viable for awarding bodies to run end-point assessment exams, after it emerged that they…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

BREAKING: London area review reports and recommendations published

This afternoon the Department for Education published the reports and recommendations for the four London reviews in the area…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Principal racked up £60k bill on overseas trips

A former principal spent more than £60,000 on worldwide recruitment trips but it’s unclear if he managed to persuade…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted could re-inspect after QAR loophole crackdown

Ofsted could re-inspect providers for questionable achievement rates that have come to light following a recent Skills Funding Agency…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

‘Baker clause’ will force hostile schools to open doors to FE

Lord Baker has won a major concession in the House of Lords which will force all schools to give…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Government tight-lipped over second allocation window for register of apprenticeship training providers

The government is remaining tight-lipped over whether results of a surprise second allocation window for the register of apprenticeship…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

New jobs dashboard allows providers to explore local employment and skills needs

Do you know where the work is? What are employers in your local area looking for? How can you…

Vik Bassi
Vik Bassi
News

Consultation questions future of construction industry training boards after apprenticeship levy launch

The government has launched a consultation questioning the future role of construction industry training boards and their own employer…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Halfon launches new Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network

A new Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network was launched by skills minister Robert Halfon this morning. The organisation, chaired by…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Employers blasted for ignoring apprenticeships they developed

Employers including the private healthcare giant Bupa have been criticised for not employing anyone on apprenticeships they developed, after…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: week of two halves for FE providers

In a week of two halves, a private training provider plummeted from ‘good’ to ‘inadequate’ in one of Ofsted’s…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Government wants £140k-a-year director to oversee area reviews

The government is on the hunt for a permanent director to run its transaction unit following the area reviews…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

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