News

Council votes for wider area review recognising school sixth forms and independent learning providers

A council has voted to carry out its own post-16 education review to ensure school sixth forms and independent…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

‘Save adult education’ petition signed by over 10,000 delivered to home of Prime Minister

A petition signed by more than 10,000 people that called on the government to “stop further funding cuts to…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

UTCs ‘do work colleges have done for years’ hears House of Lords committee

University Technical Colleges (UTCs) have been criticised in front of a Lords committee for stepping in where “colleges could…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

DfE to go public with subcontracted student numbers for first time

The Department for Education (DfE) will publish information on subcontracted student numbers for the first time at the end…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

LGA calls for exemption from apprenticeship levy for local councils

Local authorities should be excluded from the large employers’ apprenticeship levy, according to proposals put forward by the Local…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Negotiations over AoC pay freeze fail as UCU sticks to strike threat

The threat of strike action was today hanging over the FE sector as talks between the Association of Colleges…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson


News

Further education and skills sector misses out on £250m in FE loans cash

Shadow Skills Minister Gordon Marsden has called on the government to “get a grip” after new figures showed that…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

‘Next few months critical’ for Birmingham Metropolitan College says Skills Minister Nick Boles as FE Commissioner attacks past financial performance

A cash-strapped Midland college’s past financial management has been branded “not acceptable” as Skills Minister Nick Boles told it…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

College sector leaders to give Lords evidence on employment opportunities for young people

College sector leaders will add their voices to an inquiry by the House of Lords Select Committee on Social…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Skills Minister Nick Boles issues ‘nothing to fear from college mergers’ assurance

Skills Minister Nick Boles has tried to reassure colleges undergoing post-16 education and training area reviews that mergers were…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Hackney Community College first to be rated under new Ofsted framework — but report layout comes under fire

Hackney Community College went up an Ofsted grade to good today as it became the first FE and skills…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Experienced troubleshooter takes over as interim principal at Stafford College

Experienced troubleshooter Ian Clinton has temporarily taken charge at Stafford College, following the resignation of previous principal Beverley Smith….

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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