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
News

First sixth form school to opt in to post-16 area review

A sixth form in Liverpool has become the first school to opt in to a post-16 area review, and…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Leaked report warns BIS move to London could increase costs

A leaked government report has warned that plans to close the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ (BIS) office…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
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