News

Sector leaders left ‘outside the tent’ on reforms

The controversial new apprenticeship levy was drawn up in “a darkened room”, leading FE organisations to feel they were…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

FE sector still concerned over funding though fears are easing, survey shows

Funding is still the biggest source of worry, the latest FE Week and Policy Consortium survey of over 730…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

MP calls for investigation after claiming college boss bullied him

The boss of Hull College has been accused of trying to bully a member of the shadow cabinet for…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Skills white paper to propose academic and vocational divide

> Leaked report plan exposes stark choice at 16 > 15 new ‘professional and technical’ routes with apprenticeship or substantial work…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Former international footballer among six charged following training company probe

An ex-Wales international footballer is one of six men facing charges following a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

MPs demand VAT clarity over sixth form college to academy conversions

More than 50 MPs have urged Chancellor George Osborne to clarify VAT rules that could see sixth form colleges…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

Boles ducks question over skills white paper delay

Skills Minister Nick Boles ducked a question about delays to the first skills white paper in more than 10…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Editor Asks: New CBI boss hits out at levy plans

The launch date for the apprenticeship levy, due in April next year, needs to be postponed unless the government…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Fears IfA won’t have the staff to police standards

Questions are being asked about the ability of the new Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA) to police new Trailblazer standards…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

ATL blasts six-month Birmingham area review

The Birmingham and Solihull area review was a waste of time and money, according to the Association of Teachers…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Sacked by 2 colleges over child abuse images

A tutor has been sacked by a two Liverpool-based colleges after admitting to making and possessing hundreds of child…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Warnings over finances for three colleges and council’s adult education provision

Three more colleges have had concerns raised over their finances, alongside Wakefield council’s adult education provision, according to the…

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