News

Fairness fears over college apprenticeship groups

Industry insiders fear that new apprenticeship college training groups could unfairly distort the market and divert government cash away…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Fresh concerns over failing UTC model as one in 10 now shut

More than 10 per cent of university technical colleges are now expected to close, just six years since they…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Conservatives talk big on skills agenda ahead of Budget

Ministers were in fine voice on skills at the Conservative Party conference this week, but the FE sector must now wait…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Ministerial bypass sparks ‘woeful’ area review row

The UCU has blasted the “woeful” lack of transparency in the area review process, after it emerged that key…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Greening tells conference Skills Plan will be ‘big focus’

A firm commitment to “transform” technical education was made by education secretary Justine Greening, in a Conservative Party Conference…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Strike will hit Hull College next Thursday

A strike by Hull College staff has been set for next Thursday (October 13), after staff voted to walk-out…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

Apprentices ‘discouraged’ by schools demand better careers advice

Apprentices should be sent into classrooms to tell school pupils about vocational career and training options, according to two…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Halfon plays down apprenticeship levy ‘gaming’ fears

The apprenticeships minister Robert Halfon has sought to play down fears in the business community that some companies will “game”…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Computer skills to be fully funded through existing Adult Education Budget

Plans have been unveiled to fully fund IT courses for adults, putting ‘digital literacy’ on a similar footing to…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Council wants small-school sixth forms to merge or close

Brighton and Hove council wants to merge or close its small-school sixth forms, it has announced following a review…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted considering climbdown over logo use

Ofsted could be heading for an embarrassing U-turn over its surprise decision to threaten providers with legal action over…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Financial notice to improve for Heathrow Aviation Engineering University Technical College

A financial notice to improve has been issued to The Heathrow Aviation Engineering University Technical College by the Education…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
16-19

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Qualifications

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Politics, Skills reform

DWP will take over apprenticeships, minister confirms

Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships policy will give “bigger emphasis on skills”, Jacqui Smith claims

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel