News

Leadership praised as college’s Oftsed rating improves following double inadequate blow

Lewisham Southwark College has seen its Ofsted rating go up a grade from its previous inadequate rating, with inspectors…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Lincoln College retracts non-pay threat to agency staff

A college has gone back on its “threat” not to pay part-time agency staff over delayed student assessment work…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Half apprenticeship assessment orgs unregulated by Ofqual

Concerns have been raised over apprentice assessment organisations (AAOs) for apprenticeship standards — after it emerged that half of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Rebrand traineeships and sort out their funding, stakeholders say

There is widespread support for renaming the government’s traineeships scheme, according to a new FE Week survey, which found…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Middlesbrough College acquires NECC Training

Middlesbrough College has acquired the training arm of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), which currently delivers around…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

‘Inadequate’ colleges double-digit disaster as English and maths policy blamed

The number of general further education colleges to have been branded ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted since September has hit double figures,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

Exclusive : More than half of all college sixth forms seeking academy status

Almost two thirds of sixth form colleges have registered an interest in converting to an academy, FE Week can…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Brexit could kill-off apprenticeship levy plans, Boles warns

Skills Minister Nick Boles has reportedly warned that Brexit could put an end to the apprenticeship levy. He spoke…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Yet more fraudsters found targeting FE colleges

Colleges have again been warned to be vigilant after fraudsters posing as principals have been foiled in a string…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Sir David Collins to step down before area reviews complete

The FE Commissioner Sir David Collins will stand down in November — even though the long-delayed national programme of…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

FE college principals snubbed in Queen’s birthday honours, but governors recognised

Principals of general FE colleges in England have been snubbed in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours – as FE…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

HIT Training boss and FE Week columnist John Hyde one of 20 FE figures recognised in Queen’s birthday honours list

John Hyde, executive chairman of HIT Training – and FE Week’s regular Raw Hyde columnist – was one of…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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