News

All agreed in Somerset college merger – except for the name

Two colleges in Somerset have completed a merger — but still appear to be struggling to agree on a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

It’s time to create national digital skills colleges, MPs say

The government should work with the FE sector to create a network of digital skills colleges across the country,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Top two at Amersham and Wycombe College quit

The chair and vice-chair of troubled Amersham and Wycombe College have both stepped down – but the college is…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Osborne’s Brexit budget warns of £1.15bn cuts in education spending

Britain would need to make an additional £1.15bn cut in education spending to fill the £30bn black hole in…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

BIS advertises eight Institute for Apprenticeships board seats – at £15,000 per annum

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills is recruiting eight board members for the new Institute for Apprenticeships, with…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Leadership praised as college’s Oftsed rating improves following double inadequate blow

Lewisham Southwark College has seen its Ofsted rating go up a grade from its previous inadequate rating, with inspectors…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

Lincoln College retracts non-pay threat to agency staff

A college has gone back on its “threat” not to pay part-time agency staff over delayed student assessment work…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Half apprenticeship assessment orgs unregulated by Ofqual

Concerns have been raised over apprentice assessment organisations (AAOs) for apprenticeship standards — after it emerged that half of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Rebrand traineeships and sort out their funding, stakeholders say

There is widespread support for renaming the government’s traineeships scheme, according to a new FE Week survey, which found…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Middlesbrough College acquires NECC Training

Middlesbrough College has acquired the training arm of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), which currently delivers around…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

‘Inadequate’ colleges double-digit disaster as English and maths policy blamed

The number of general further education colleges to have been branded ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted since September has hit double figures,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Exclusive : More than half of all college sixth forms seeking academy status

Almost two thirds of sixth form colleges have registered an interest in converting to an academy, FE Week can…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

Must read

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
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Adult education

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets

Combined authorities told to expect reductions in ‘already deeply diminished’ adult skills funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen