News

Education ministers retain their seats

All the key education figures from Labour and the Conservatives have been re-elected, while long-time FE champion Vince Cable…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

General election result: what does it mean for FE?

The Conservatives look set to continue with their skills agenda after Theresa May managed to secure a deal to…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Election night 2017: The constituencies to watch if you work in FE

It’s been one of the most eventful and uncertain election campaigns in recent history, and now it’s almost over. The…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Free Financial Times offer is for FE students too

Students from colleges and independent training providers will be able to read the Financial Times for free, despite the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Desperate college seeks university take-over before merger consultation even begins

A struggling London college is preparing to hand over wide-ranging control of how it is run to a university,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Two large colleges pull back from inadequate Ofsted ratings

Two large colleges have pulled back from ‘inadequate’ Ofsted ratings – with both recognised for improved performance in reports…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

‘Patchy’ progress with work training for special needs

A government drive to help young people with learning difficulties and disabilities prepare for the world of work is…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Traineeship to apprenticeship progression rates fall below 20%

The proportion of adult trainees funded by the ESFA who progress onto an apprenticeship has dipped below 20 per…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

NSAFD U-turns on mandatory vetting of apprenticeship qualifications

In an embarrassing U-turn, the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink has dropped controversial plans for mandatory vetting…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

University technical colleges plan to switch recruitment age to 13

University technical colleges across the country are planning to recruit students a year before their standard 14 starting age,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted watch: Traineeships silver lining for provider stuck on grade three

Independent training provider Nottinghamshire Training Network found itself stuck at a grade three this week, with all its provision deemed…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

UTC applications surge after letters sent to parents

The body that runs the university technical colleges has been making bold claims about a surge in demand for…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

Colleges, Politics

Joe Docherty: Labour peer quit college role over ‘inappropriate conduct’

The former education executive has been suspended by the party weeks after being sent to the House of Lords…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill and Gabriel Pogrund
Colleges, Long read

Inside FE’s lifeline for under-16s: Stepping in where schools fail

More and more anxious 14-16 year olds not in school are starting afresh in colleges, but they are under-recognised,…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Young people

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen