News

College ditches academies, blaming cuts and curriculum change

A college is preparing to cut ties with two academies currently under its control — claiming that it is…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Third London college at risk of administered status

A struggling college is in danger of becoming the third in London to be placed into administered status by…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Levy puts charities in ‘conflict of legislation’

Charities are caught in a “conflict of legislation” over the government’s apprenticeship levy, a senior sector figure has warned….

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

North-east sixth form merger is first of its kind in two decades

Two sixth form colleges have joined forces in what they claim is the first merger of its kind in…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Troubled Gazelle Group loses two more member colleges

Two more colleges have quit the troubled Gazelle Group, including one of its founder members, FE Week can reveal….

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

UTC Lancashire to shut up shop after just three years

A fourth university technical college (UTC) has announced it will be shutting its doors due to low student numbers….

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

Sector leaders left ‘outside the tent’ on reforms

The controversial new apprenticeship levy was drawn up in “a darkened room”, leading FE organisations to feel they were…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

FE sector still concerned over funding though fears are easing, survey shows

Funding is still the biggest source of worry, the latest FE Week and Policy Consortium survey of over 730…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

MP calls for investigation after claiming college boss bullied him

The boss of Hull College has been accused of trying to bully a member of the shadow cabinet for…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Skills white paper to propose academic and vocational divide

> Leaked report plan exposes stark choice at 16 > 15 new ‘professional and technical’ routes with apprenticeship or substantial work…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Former international footballer among six charged following training company probe

An ex-Wales international footballer is one of six men facing charges following a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

MPs demand VAT clarity over sixth form college to academy conversions

More than 50 MPs have urged Chancellor George Osborne to clarify VAT rules that could see sixth form colleges…

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