News

Consultation launched on plans to merge college with university

Bury College has launched a consultation on its proposed merger with the University of Bolton. The move was first…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Area review completion delays drag on as new six month target missed

At least three of the seven regions involved in the first wave of post-16 education and training area reviews…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Level three vocational route on rise as A-levels fall

The number of 19-year-olds gaining level three through A-levels has fallen for the first time in seven years, while…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Government misses target to recruit volunteer careers advisers

The Government has admitted to missing its target to recruit 300 ‘volunteer enterprise advisers’ by the end of March…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Colleges agree ‘hub and spoke’ London proposal could work

The 157 Group’s proposals for a ‘hub and spoke’ approach to provision at level 3 and above in London…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

No easy answers for volunteers in apprenticeship levy, Boles says

Skills Minister Nick Boles (pictured) has accepted there are no immediate solutions to “difficulties” that the apprenticeship levy will…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Hackney Community College principal named new president of AoC

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has announced Ian Ashman, principal of Hackney Community College, as its President-elect. Mr Ashman…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

CBI warns institute must not just ‘rubber-stamp’ standards

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has criticised the body established to police the reformed apprenticeship system as having…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

The multi-million-pound ‘cowboy’ trade in subcontracting

> ‘No win no fee’ brokers raking in up to five per  cent commission fees on seven figure contracts…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Geographic funding data published for first time

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has published geographic funding data for the first time — ahead of devolution of…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

First college outstanding Ofsted rating awarded under CIF

A college in Cornwall has become the first to be rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted since the introduction of the…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

AoC sport national championships kicking off

More than 1,800 college sporting stars will travel to Tyne and Wear this weekend to compete in the 38th…

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