News

‘Either apprenticeships or universities for almost everybody’ – David Cameron tells employers at CBI conference

Prime Minister David Cameron today outlined his vision of post-16 education and training as one in which learners are…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Skills Minister Nick Boles rules out new UTCs ban in area review regions

Skills Minister Nick Boles has ruled out a blanket ban on new university technical colleges (UTCs) where post-16 education…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Lord Baker hits back at ‘get out of jail’ criticism

Former Education Secretary Ken Baker (pictured above) has hit back at criticism that his university technical college (UTC) project…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Providers urged to think about what technology ‘will do for learners’

The impact technology has on learners is more important to Ofsted than the technology itself, a former inspector told…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Trailblazer incentive payments ‘can cover’ costly exams

Employer bodies have attacked Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) guidance that Trailblazer apprenticeship incentive payments are used…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Making a HIT meal out of launch

Dozens of lucky guests got to taste a mouthwatering menu created by apprentices at the launch of the new…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Walkers barking mad at Ofsted safeguarding guidance

A Midland college has incurred the wrath of local dog walkers with its response to Ofsted safeguarding advice to…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Sir Lenny among AoC conference speakers

Comedian-turned-actor Sir Lenny Henry will be one of the guest speakers at this year’s Association of Colleges (AoC) Conference. He will…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Foundation Degree awarding powers granted to Hull College Group as government moratorium lifted

Hull College Group has become the fifth college in England to be granted Foundation Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs), after…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Progress continues at previously-troubled Barnfield College with Ofsted praise after final monitoring visit

Ofsted has identified progress across all areas looked at in a third monitoring visit of previously-troubled Barnfield College. Inspectors were at…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

National Audit Office to look at quality concerns around government management of apprenticeship reforms

The National Audit Office (NAO) will investigate quality concerns over the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ (BIS) drive…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

First Ofsted short inspection of FE provider published amid ‘cramming in’ concerns

The results of the first Ofsted short inspection of a good provider were positive for the Cheshire college visited…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

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
Adult education, ITPs

Mayors dump adult education cuts on independent training providers

Up to two-thirds axed from devolved procured budgets

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Adult education

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets

Combined authorities told to expect reductions in ‘already deeply diminished’ adult skills funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen