News

Michael Sheehan steps down at Wigan & Leigh

A college principal in the north-west has left his post unexpectedly, but his former colleagues remain tight-lipped as to…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Former apprentices to promote scheme in school?

Former apprentices will be obliged to go back into schools to promote apprenticeships, through a new “commitment” set to…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Schools could face financial penalties for A-level dropouts

Schools could soon be financially sanctioned if they sign students up to inappropriate A-level courses that they later abandon,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted drops probe into ‘brave’ inspector

Ofsted has called off its investigation into an inspector who demanded the immediate departure of his boss Sir Michael…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Exclusive: CBI boss wants levy launch delayed unless ‘radical rethink’

The director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) wants the April next year launch date for the…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

PCS ballots for strike action over Sheffield BIS office closure plans

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) is balloting members over strike action to fight closure plans for the…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

Providers take over as Somerset charity goes bust

Two providers have been forced to step in to support students after a training and education charity went into…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Local authority funding means conflict of interest, Natspec warns

A group of specialist colleges say there is a conflict of interest over devolving high needs funding to “compromised”…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Barnfield College welcomes improved Ofsted rating

The principal of Barnfield College has vowed it will be ‘outstanding’ within two years — after its Ofsted rating…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
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

Must read

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
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