News

Student protestors celebrate after performing arts courses saved

Performing arts students who took to the streets to save their courses are celebrating after college leaders decided against…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

College Twitter rap for touting on neighbour’s turf

They may say at Tesco that “every little helps” — but Bromley College faced criticism that it had overstepped…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Government upheavals undermining planning for next academic year

Hold-ups to key FE announcements and reports caused by recent government upheavals are undermining planning for next academic year,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted tightens up inspection regime as college mergers rocket

The inspection regime is being tightened up by Ofsted to keep track on rocketing numbers of college mergers. Ofsted…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Three new college merger plans unveiled as eight partnerships finalised

A four-way college link-up is one of three new major merger plans to have been unveiled— as eight partnerships involving…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Plaque unveiled in memory of former principal Peter Roberts CBE

Friends and colleagues of former Leeds City College and Stockport College principal Peter Roberts CBE came together for the…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

Levy update could be on hold until September

Updated guidance on the apprenticeship levy which was due out in June may now be postponed until September, FE Week understands….

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Who or what is the PRAt at the SFA?

After the turmoil of recent months 2016’s silly season has finally rolled around, heralded by the Skills Funding Agency’s (SFA)…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

When is the skills minister not the skills minister? When you ask the DfE

The responsibilities of newly appointed minister Robert Halfon have yet to be officially announced, raising concerns from the sector that this…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Public Accounts Committee to scrutinise apprenticeships

Apprenticeships have secured a place on the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) early autumn programme of work this year. They…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

First three FE institutions to get chartered status announced

The first three members of the Chartered Institution for Further Education have been unveiled. Hawk Training, Blackpool and The…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

New education secretary chooses ‘outstanding’ Walsall College for first FE visit

An ‘outstanding’ college was chosen by Justine Greening MP as her first FE institution for a visit since she…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

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