News

Leaders rush to defend FE from Sir Michael

Key FE figures have spoken out in defence of the sector following a scathing attack by Ofsted boss Sir…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Online learning ‘not cheap option’

A Skills Funding Agency (SFA) decision not to introduce a reduced funding rate for online learning has been welcomed…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Feltag online learning target was ‘red herring’

[slideshow_deploy id=’43845′] The 10 per cent target for online learning included in the Further Education Learning Technology Action Group…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Deadline missed on apprenticeship consultation

The government has missed the first key deadline from its own timeline for apprenticeship reform implementation over the next…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

DfE figures reveal the FE sector winners and losers in vocational and A-level provision

Greenhead Sixth Form College has come out on top again in this year’s league tables for schools and colleges,…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Does Skills Minister Nick Boles have any idea about Institute for Apprenticeships’ policing?

— ‘I have no idea — or if I had an idea I’m not going to share it’ Skills Minister…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Liverpool-based Oakmere Community College appeals against two-grade slump to inadequate

A Liverpool-based independent learning provider (ILP) has launched an appeal after it slumped from its previous ‘good’ Ofsted rating…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Union chiefs meet in discussions over pay

Further education trade unions have met twice in the last week to discuss an ongoing pay row with the…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Tough new strike laws will apply to FE

FE colleges that recruit learners from the age of 14 will be covered by tough new strike rules, the…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Government target for 3m apprenticeship starts could be on track as new starts up 4pc

The government could be on track to meet its target of 3m new apprenticeship starts by 2020, according to…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Lifting of restriction on providers running traineeships brought forward to February 1

The date when the restriction requiring providers to have grade one or two Ofsted ratings to run traineeships will…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Boles to appear before Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy

Skills Minister Nick Boles will face a grilling from MPs on the Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy on Monday…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

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