News

Colleges dispute findings of union report showing “significant” gender pay gap

A row has broken out between the University and College Union (UCU) and providers that dispute the findings of…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Boles says UTCs ‘stronger’ in multi-academy trusts

University Technical Colleges (UTCs) should function as part of multi-academy trusts (MATs) to make them “stronger”, the skills minister…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Two new ‘good’ rated colleges join 157 Group

South Staffordshire College and South Thames College have joined the 157 Group, the body has revealed. The announcement was…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

BIS Sheffield ‘brain drain’ plans pushed back after outcry

The Government has pushed back its consultation over plans to close the Sheffield base for hundreds of civil servants…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

College closures and debts in Saudi Arabia — just how bad is it?

In 2013-14 a host of UK providers jumped at the chance to take part in a programme in Saudi…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Teachers’ union hits back at SFCA over March strike

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has defended itself after the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) said an upcoming…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Guidance on restructuring facilities published by BIS

The government will be providing cash to help colleges to implement area review recommendations – but has made it…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Back to future with FEFC?

The number of Skills Funding Agency offices are to be radically reduced as they become ‘Further Education funding centres’…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Government distances themselves from Wilshaw

> Ofsted chief tells MPs colleges are in ‘mess’ and 16-19 should stay at school > Personal opinion sparks…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Struggling London college in talks with Newcastle group

A troubled London college has been in talks with a view to “closer working” with a college group based…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

More than 500 qualifications face full funding axe

> Up to 20 per cent full level 2 and 3 to lose entitlement status > SFA initially deny…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Mid-Cheshire College falls from outstanding to inadequate

A further education college has plummeted from the highest to lowest overall grade after its first Ofsted inspection in more…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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