News

Shadow Skills Minister Gordon Marsden hits out over DfE climbdown on English and maths funding rule

– Schools, colleges and independent learning providers fail to enrol learners on English and maths – 35,000 16 to…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Gazelle bosses slash annual membership fee to £15k after more than half of colleges quit group

The number of colleges in Gazelle has more than halved in the space of just over a year to…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

MPs to look at FE and skills sector role as part of BIS Select Committee ‘digital economy’ inquiry

Further education is set to come under the spotlight with the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Blackburn College drawn into Twitter storm over learner’s alleged rape threat

Blackburn College has found itself at the centre of a Twitter storm after a user was sent an abusive…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Government rejects calls for employers to face Magistrates for running ‘in-house’ apprenticeships in less than 12 months

The government has rejected calls to make employers subject to proposed new laws aimed at preventing “misuse” of the…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Returning Shadow Skills Minister Gordon Marsden aiming to address FE ‘funding crisis’

Newly-appointed Shadow Skills Minister Gordon Marsden has told how FE’s “funding crisis” was among the first issues he will…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


News

Colleges made to wait for tough strike law decision

Further education colleges offering 14 to 16 provision may have to wait until the trade union bill passes to…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Apprentice numbers ‘a disaster’, says Ofsted’s Sir Michael Wilshaw

The number of young people employed as apprentices in England is “a disaster” and Ofsted inspectors will be ensuring…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Sector commissioners in recruitment drive

Two new advisers have been appointed by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to help Sixth Form Commissioner Peter Mucklow…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Sector leaders spell out key issues for Shadow Business Secretary

Apprenticeships and government cuts to FE were among the top issues on the agenda for sector leaders keen to…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

CBI’s ‘double whammy’ levies warning

Employers must not be “hit by a double whammy” of charges after the government’s planned apprenticeship levy is introduced,…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

New Ofqual framework to focus on outcomes

Ofqual’s replacement for the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF) will give awarding organisations more freedom to review and develop their…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

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