News

Ofsted criticises ‘financial mismanagement’ at college preparing to join with university

Governors have been criticised for being slow to recognise “financial mismanagement” at Lambeth College, in new report unveiled by…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Failed UTC site used as cheap accommodation

Young professionals are living in a disused Walsall university technical college site, after the 14-19 institution was forced to…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Public Accounts Committee warning over ‘high risk’ devolution plans

“High risk” devolution plans giving local enterprise partnerships widespread adult education budget spending powers must be subjected to far more…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

New plans for police constable apprenticeships unveiled

A police constable degree apprenticeship could help aspiring officers to meet new requirements for a degree level qualification to…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Find out which organisations can assess the most apprenticeship standards

A big three familiar names dominate the updated list of 33 approved assessment organisations – taking responsibility for end…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Exclusive: Still no assessment organisations approved for over half apprenticeships

More than half of apprenticeship standards approved for delivery still have no approved assessment organisation, FE Week analysis of…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

Governors back first sixth form college merger with multi-academy trust

Governors from the Sixth Form College Solihull have voted to press ahead with plans to join forces with a…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Minimal impact of schools’ careers advice on progression to FE exposed

Careers advice in schools is having little to no impact on young people’s decisions to stay on into FE,…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Mass delays to publication of special needs learner plans spark calls for government intervention

“Very concerning” delays with councils delivering education health and care plans (EHCP) for young people with special needs, which…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

MPs investigating how colleges can better support students over mental health issues

A new joint parliamentary select committee inquiry, into how education can help prevent mental health problems among young people,…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Apprentices get IfA representation – but no place on the board

The government has finally committed to establishing an apprentice panel for the Institute for Apprenticeships, in a move hailed…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

‘Deep concern’ over local enterprise partnerships’ funding decisions

A call has been made for local enterprise partnerships to have a new contracting process that’s “fair and transparent”…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Colleges on the frontline of a divided nation

As social media algorithms fuel intolerance and binary thinking, college staff increasingly find themselves dealing with the fallout. Jessica…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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