News

Bigger is better for sixth forms

Size matters, at least when it comes to sixth forms – as FE Week discovered when we investigated the…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Westminster Kingsway name change rejected, but others find loophole

Westminster Kingsway College’s bid to have itself rebranded as Central London Colleges Group was rejected over concerns its new…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Advanced learner loan growth requests delayed as demand spikes

The Skills Funding Agency appears to have been ignoring requests from several providers to boost advanced learner loan provision…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

NCG finally gets ‘good’ Ofsted after four month standoff

The nation’s largest college has won its battle with Ofsted with the awarding of a grade two overall –…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

AoC takes DfE to court over controversial new small school sixth form

Battle lines have been drawn by the Association of Colleges, after it launched its first judicial review against the…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Ofqual fines Pearson £85,000 over widespread certification failures

An £85,000 fine set to be waged on Pearson will be Ofqual’s second financial penalty against an awarding organisation….

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

New FE commissioner revealed, and there are two

The role of the FE commissioner will be split in two following Sir David Collins’ concern over his workload covering both intervention and…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Star names unveiled for AoC annual conference

Star names unveiled for this year’s Association of Colleges annual conference and exhibition include broadcaster Steph McGovern, comedian Ruby…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

A full house for FE Week’s #SaveOurApprenticeships campaign

The #SaveOurApprenticeships campaign against devastating cuts in apprenticeship funding was launched at the Houses of Parliament to a packed…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Motor industry boss lambasts PM for not ‘recognising’ apprenticeship funding cuts

The prime minister is like a “drunk in a china shop”, according to one motor industry chief, because she…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

EXCLUSIVE: Keith Smith returns to SFA to lead on apprenticeship levy

A top SFA official seconded to into the government department to implement the apprenticeship levy has already returned, FE…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Employers will have to sign government levy contracts

Businesses are increasingly jittery over the apprenticeship levy, after it was revealed that they would have to sign strict…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

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