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
News

‘Large-scale incident’ exposes college safeguarding failures in inadequate Ofsted report

Epping Forest College has been rated ‘inadequate’ across-the-board, in an Ofsted report out today that warned of safeguarding failings…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Gazelle Group on its last legs after its director and most members quit

The Gazelle Colleges Group is on life support following a precipitous drop in membership, months of inactivity and the…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Outstanding colleges might now expect a visit from Ofsted

Ofsted seems to be heading for a U-turn on a controversial policy that exempts providers rated ‘outstanding’ from routine…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Funding reform will see 16-18 apprenticeships ‘drop by two thirds’

The government must make a “clear and unambiguous” commitment to 16-to-18 apprenticeships, after a major provider warned that funding…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

Must read

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
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