News

Struggling Sussex college to close campuses

A debt-laden college will close two campuses, including a former sixth form college (SFC), and stop providing A-levels. Central…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Wilshaw FE furore continues as Ofsted inspector investigated

The fallout is continuing over Sir Michael Wilshaw’s much-criticised comments about FE — as FE Week has discovered that…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Colleges compete for sporting supremacy

Last weekend saw more than 1,800 athletes from 137 different colleges travel to Tyne and Wear for the 38th…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

First sixth form school to opt in to post-16 area review

A sixth form in Liverpool has become the first school to opt in to a post-16 area review, and…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Leaked report warns BIS move to London could increase costs

A leaked government report has warned that plans to close the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ (BIS) office…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Revealed: apprenticeship levy operating model

> CBI pleased government now engaging with employers but say guidance ‘still raises more questions than it answers’ >…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

Use it or lose it : Employers will have 18 months to spend apprenticeship levy payments

The government has today announced the employer time limit on using their levy funds, due for introduction in April 2017….

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Breaking: Influential Commons committee chairs demand cost-breakdown of BIS Sheffield office closure

The chairs of the Business, Innovation and Skills and Public Accounts Committees have demanded to see key government documents…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

DfE accounts lack ‘truth and fairness’ says finance watchdog

The Department for Education’s financial statements lack “truth and fairness” according to the government’s audit watchdog. The department (DfE)…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Shakira Martin re-elected as NUS vice president for FE

The National Union of Students has voted to keep its vice president for FE for a second term. Shakira…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Department for Education announces new permanent secretary

The government has today announced who will be taking over from Chris Wormald as the head civil servant at…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Consultation launched on plans to merge college with university

Bury College has launched a consultation on its proposed merger with the University of Bolton. The move was first…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Colleges on the frontline of a divided nation

As social media algorithms fuel intolerance and binary thinking, college staff increasingly find themselves dealing with the fallout. Jessica…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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