News

Government launching court challenge to sixth form colleges strike

The government is launching court action to challenge National Union of Teachers (NUT) strike action planned at sixth form…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Agency director to lead levy team at BIS

Skills Funding Agency (SFA) director Keith Smith (pictured) has moved to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

London colleges in spotlight as two top mayoral candidates battle for budget

The issue of FE’s future in London is hotting up before the mayoral election in May. One of the…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Cash for area review consultants on offer

Colleges will have access to cash to pay for consultants to help them implement area review recommendations, FE Week…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Struggling Central Bedfordshire UTC to close despite FE college’s intervention

A struggling University Technical College (UTC) which has already been rescued by a neighbouring FE college is to close this…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Unspent levy money will be used to maintain SME apprenticeship funding, Boles re-assures firms

The government has sought to re-assure small and medium-sized employers (SMEs) there will be enough apprenticeship levy money left…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

College in difficulties drops back to ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating

City of Bristol College has slumped back to an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating, following an inspection in late January. The report…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Former OCR boss Mark Dawe appointed to run AELP

Former chief executive of awarding organisation OCR Mark Dawe has been appointed as the new boss of the Association…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Exclusive: AoC struggles to find new chief executive

The Association of Colleges (AoC) will have to re-advertise for a new chief executive after failing to find a…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Invitation to tender for London ESF Youth Programme launched

Invitations to tender for the European Social Fund (ESF) Youth Programme in London have been launched by the Skills…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Preferred candidate for new chief regulator unveiled

The preferred candidate to take over as Ofqual’s chief regulator has been revealed. Education secretary Nicky Morgan confirmed, in…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Shadow chief exec appointed of new Institute for Apprenticeships

Rachel Sandby-Thomas (pictured above) has been appointed to the role of shadow chief executive of new Institute for Apprenticeships…

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