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
News

157 Group wants ‘technical institutes’ to lead level three and above training for key industries in capital

The 157 Group has proposed that single colleges should take a lead for level three and above training for…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Exclusive: SFA will improve new interactive data dashboards following complaints

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has said it will improve its tool for viewing qualification achievement rates (QAR) following…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

More understanding needed for career ambitions, report says

Better understanding is needed of why young people choose oversubscribed career paths, a new report states. The study, ‘Routes…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Government launches area review cash for consultants

Application guidance for up to £100k consultancy grants that will support the implementation of area review recommendations has been…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Apprenticeship levy funding pot predictions cut by £100m a year

The amount of money the apprenticeship levy is expected to raise has already fallen by £100m for each year…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

FE ‘postcode lottery’ for high needs learners, expert warns

A leading expert in learning difficulties and disabilities has branded the FE sector a “postcode lottery” for young people…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Fears over lack of assessment organisations

Concerns have been raised over delays with government approval of apprentice assessment organisations (AAOs) for Trailblazer apprenticeship standards after…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Agency under fire for refusing to list changes to quals

A college strategic funding manager has hit out at the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) for refusing to publish a…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Fall in number of employers posting apprenticeship vacancies

Government figures showed a 6 per cent fall in employer numbers posting apprenticeship vacancies in the same week it…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

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