News

Providers hit back at Saudi claims

Providers have hit back at claims that establishing new learner ventures in Saudi Arabia as part of the Colleges…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Exclusive: Public Accounts Committee chair says topslicing is ‘outrageous leeching’ of public cash

The issue of topslicing with lead providers skimming off around 40 per cent of government funding for delivery before…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

ATL survey reveals 85 per cent of FE staff consider quitting their role due to workload

Nearly nine in every 10 FE lecturers and leaders have considered quitting because of their workload, a survey by…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Third sector body calls for charity member of new institute

A third sector umbrella body has written to Skills Minister Nick Boles calling for charity representation on the new…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Trailblazer process ‘out of control,’ says government adviser Nigel Whitehead

Government adviser Nigel Whitehead warned that the Trailblazer apprenticeship process was “out of control” as he revealed fears national…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Colleges assured action to stop internet attacks ‘working effectively’

Colleges hit by a nationwide cyber attack on FE and higher education providers were today told that “blocks” had…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson


News

‘Partnership agreement’ signed by NCG and UCU leaders to consign string of bitter disputes to history

The University and College Union (UCU) and NCG (formerly Newcastle College Group) have signed a “partnership agreement” they hope…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Skills Minister Nick Boles places college into administered status after eight-year deterioration in finances

Skills Minister Nick Boles has placed Amersham and Wycombe College into administered status after being warned of its “declining…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Ofqual clamping down on ‘rogue’ awarding organisations as investigators look at 40 cases of ‘non-compliance’

Ofqual boss Glenys Stacey has warned awarding organisations (AOs) that the qualifications watchdog is clamping down on “rogue” non-compliance —…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Careers advice inquiry launched by new parliamentary committee on education, skills and the economy

The Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy has today launched an inquiry into careers advice, information and guidance. It…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Greater Manchester local authority achieves outstanding first under new Ofsted inspection regime

A Greater Manchester council has the honour of being FE’s first community learning and skills provider to be judged…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Skills Minister Nick Boles writes to college leaders to reaffirm two-thirds apprenticeship push

Skills Minister Nick Boles has written to college leaders to reaffirm his message that they should be going from…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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