News

Colleges’ failure to deliver with traineeships exposed

AoC blames programme design after analysis shows they’re responsible for barely a quarter of starts AELP claims independent training…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

SFA could shoulder up to 90% of training costs for non-levy employers

The government plans to slash the amount smaller firms will have to pay towards the cost of apprenticeships training…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Sector needs clarity on levy prospects and wider apprenticeship reforms after Brexit vote

Sector leaders have called for clarity on whether the government will still press ahead with apprenticeship levy plans following…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Wilshaw calling for every major multi-academy trust to include a UTC

Ofsted’s chief inspector is set to call on the government to insist that every major multi-academy trust (MAT) includes…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

NAO will investigate BIS decision to close Sheffield office

The National Audit Office is to investigate the government’s decision to close BIS’ Sheffield office. The Department for Business,…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

AoC looks forward to ‘new era for Ofsted’ under leadership of Amanda Spielman

The Association of Colleges is looking forward to “a new era for Ofsted” — after Education Secretary Nicky Morgan…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson


News

SFA boss scrambles to avert industrial action over pay band changes

The boss of the Skills Funding Agency, Peter Lauener, has met with union officials amid concern that staff anger…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
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

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