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
News

National Apprenticeship Awards winners announced for three more regions

More than 50 employers and apprentices have been recognised in the latest round of National Apprenticeship Awards ceremonies. The…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

FE providers focused on ‘dubious qualifications of little economic relevance’ are among ‘guilty parties’ for apprenticeships failings, Wilshaw tells CBI conference

Ofsted boss Sir Michael Wilshaw told conference delegates that FE providers dishing out “dubious qualifications of little economic relevance”…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Ofqual chief explains ‘transparent’ audit system for new Regulated Qualifications Framework to FAB conference

Ofqual chief Glenys Stacey has spelled out how its “transparent” audit system will work under the new Regulated Qualifications…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

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