News

Influential think tank calls for college-only route to replace the level 2 apprenticeship

Left-wing think tank IPPR wants the government to phase out level two apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds, and replace…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Education secretary commits to focusing ‘much more’ on FE

A firm commitment has been made by education secretary Justine Greening to “focus much more” on FE. She made…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Carmichael backs more FE investment as he rejects new grammars

New grammar schools have been rejected by influential education select committee chair Neil Carmichael, who called instead for more…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Outstanding Ofsted for Fashion Retail Academy

A glowing ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report has been published today on independent training provider the Fashion Retail Academy. Inspectors returned…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ofqual opens malpractice investigation following apprentice complaint

Allegations of malpractice lodged by a former apprentice of Highbury College are being investigated by Ofqual, an FE Week…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

New south London free school ruffles local feathers

Two colleges in south London have hit out at a new 16-19 free school that will offer only vocational…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Consultation sparks hope for early years educator apprenticeships u-turn

Campaigners hope overwhelming pressure has forced the government to clear the way for a u-turn over GCSE requirements for…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Prisoners to work towards apprenticeships

Offenders will be able to work towards an apprenticeship while in prison for the first time under new plans…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Kensington and Chelsea College principal resigns with immediate effect

The principal of Kensington and Chelsea College has resigned with immediate effect, FE Week can reveal. Staff at the…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Lead DfE civil servant debunks Skills Plan ‘myth’

The government’s controversial plans to replace over 20,000 technical courses with 15 routes won’t lead to just 15 qualifications,…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Race on to approve assessors in time for apprentices finishing in March

Fresh concerns have been raised about endpoint tests on apprenticeships, after an FE Week investigation found learners who will…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Editor Asks part two: Apprenticeships minister Robert Halfon on employer ownership, assessment organisations and subcontracting

Last week, I spoke to apprenticeships minister Robert Halfon about the government’s so-called funding U-turn and the apprenticeship levy….

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