News

Barnfield College welcomes improved Ofsted rating

The principal of Barnfield College has vowed it will be ‘outstanding’ within two years — after its Ofsted rating…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Struggling Sussex college to close campuses

A debt-laden college will close two campuses, including a former sixth form college (SFC), and stop providing A-levels. Central…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Wilshaw FE furore continues as Ofsted inspector investigated

The fallout is continuing over Sir Michael Wilshaw’s much-criticised comments about FE — as FE Week has discovered that…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Colleges compete for sporting supremacy

Last weekend saw more than 1,800 athletes from 137 different colleges travel to Tyne and Wear for the 38th…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

First sixth form school to opt in to post-16 area review

A sixth form in Liverpool has become the first school to opt in to a post-16 area review, and…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Leaked report warns BIS move to London could increase costs

A leaked government report has warned that plans to close the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ (BIS) office…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Revealed: apprenticeship levy operating model

> CBI pleased government now engaging with employers but say guidance ‘still raises more questions than it answers’ >…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Use it or lose it : Employers will have 18 months to spend apprenticeship levy payments

The government has today announced the employer time limit on using their levy funds, due for introduction in April 2017….

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Breaking: Influential Commons committee chairs demand cost-breakdown of BIS Sheffield office closure

The chairs of the Business, Innovation and Skills and Public Accounts Committees have demanded to see key government documents…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

DfE accounts lack ‘truth and fairness’ says finance watchdog

The Department for Education’s financial statements lack “truth and fairness” according to the government’s audit watchdog. The department (DfE)…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Shakira Martin re-elected as NUS vice president for FE

The National Union of Students has voted to keep its vice president for FE for a second term. Shakira…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Department for Education announces new permanent secretary

The government has today announced who will be taking over from Chris Wormald as the head civil servant at…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

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