News

Ofsted watch: No overall-improvement recognised in tough week for FE

A major adult and community learning provider has fallen to ‘inadequate’, in a week of reports on FE and skills…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Gove admits the UTCs experiment has failed

The key ministerial architect of the government’s fast-unravelling policy on university technical colleges has admitted the experiment has failed….

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Digital Apprenticeship Service to be renamed prior to launch

The Digital Apprenticeship Service (or DAS) is due for launch later this month, but will be renamed the ‘apprenticeship…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Grimsby Institute wins top AoC Beacon award

The overall Leading Light winner from the prestigious national Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards has gone to the…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

IfA to charge assessment organisations for quality assurance

The Institute for Apprenticeships will charge apprenticeship assessment organisations for external quality assurance of new standards – despite Ofqual…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Greater Manchester UTC is seventh to announce closure

The Greater Manchester University Technical College (UTC) will close at the end of this academic year, becoming the seventh…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker


News

Essex County Council learning branded ‘inadequate’

A major local authority which delivers adult education to more than 12,000 learners has been rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted….

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Colleges rely on A&E to help students with serious mental health issues

Colleges are increasingly sending students who reach “crisis point” to accident and emergency, an FE Week investigation has heard….

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Two principals on IfA’s board – but what happens to their £15k paycheques?

One of the two college principals who will sit on the board at the Institute for Apprenticeships has refused…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

DfE silent on FE commissioner intervention reports

A stop appears to have been put on publication of FE commissioner intervention reports, despite growing numbers of failing…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted watch: Outstanding rating highlight of positive week for FE

The new year’s first outstanding Ofsted verdict for an FE provider was handed out this week, with two independent…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Education leaders call for co-ordinated national ESOL strategy

Two of the country’s most senior educators have called on the government to produce a coherent national strategy for…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson

Must read

Colleges, Politics

Joe Docherty: Labour peer quit college role over ‘inappropriate conduct’

The former education executive has been suspended by the party weeks after being sent to the House of Lords…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill and Gabriel Pogrund
Colleges, Long read

Inside FE’s lifeline for under-16s: Stepping in where schools fail

More and more anxious 14-16 year olds not in school are starting afresh in colleges, but they are under-recognised,…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Young people

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen