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
News

Government announces first wave of apprenticeship frameworks to be switched off

The Government has announced the first seven apprenticeship frameworks that will be closed to new starts this summer. The…

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