News

London Mayor Boris leading London area FE review

Boris Johnson (pictured) has been given a key role in deciding the future of London’s FE colleges, FE Week…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Post-16 education and training area review anounced for West Yorkshire

Seven general FE colleges and four sixth form colleges (SFCs) will be involved in a post-16 education and training…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted to carry out Prevent Duty thematic review

Ofsted is to carry out a thematic review of the implementation of the anti-terrorism Prevent Duty in the FE…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Learning opportunities ‘detrimental’ to small business productivity

The difficulty faced by small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in running apprenticeships was raised with members of the House…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

FE Week journalists up for awards — again

Five Lsect journalists, including three from FE Week, have been shortlisted for eight education journalism awards. FE Week reporter…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Apprenticeship exam costs concern at CBI as AELP issues ‘don’t start Trailblazers without fees info’ warning

CBI calls for ‘clarity’ on Trailblazer assessments AELP warns against new starts without knowing costs   The Confederation of…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Scrapping of QCF ‘small but not insignificant step for mankind’, Ofqual boss tells MPs

The unpicking of the qualifications and credit framework (QCF) was a “small but not insignificant step for mankind”, Ofqual…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Esol funding cuts protest rally draws hundreds from across FE

Staff and students from across the FE sector gathered outside the Houses of Parliament in their hundreds today to…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Unison FE members ‘overwhelmingly’ reject AoC pay freeze proposal

Further education sector members of Unison have “overwhelmingly” voted to reject an Association of Colleges (AoC) pay freeze recommendation…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Five ‘no confidence’ votes principal steps down

A Midland college principal hit with five votes of no confidence by staff has stepped down. Beverley Smith has…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Growth in 25+ apprenticeship starts as older learner numbers return to pre-FE loan levels

The proportion of 25+ apprenticeships has gone back up to levels last seen before the failed 24+ apprentice loans…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Apprenticeships quality to come under the House of Lords spotlight

Apprenticeships will this week come under the spotlight in a House of Lords debate focussing on the quality and…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

Must read

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
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