News

More than 200 colleges expected to be hit by UCU strike action

More 200 colleges could be hit with strike action tomorrow (November 10), as members of the University and College…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

‘Fill your classrooms and don’t spend money on marketing to compete with neighbouring colleges,’ FE Commissioner tells principals

Too few learners per classroom and marketing strategies that pit college against neighbouring college are among the issues preventing…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

‘Either apprenticeships or universities for almost everybody’ – David Cameron tells employers at CBI conference

Prime Minister David Cameron today outlined his vision of post-16 education and training as one in which learners are…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Skills Minister Nick Boles rules out new UTCs ban in area review regions

Skills Minister Nick Boles has ruled out a blanket ban on new university technical colleges (UTCs) where post-16 education…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Lord Baker hits back at ‘get out of jail’ criticism

Former Education Secretary Ken Baker (pictured above) has hit back at criticism that his university technical college (UTC) project…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Providers urged to think about what technology ‘will do for learners’

The impact technology has on learners is more important to Ofsted than the technology itself, a former inspector told…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

Trailblazer incentive payments ‘can cover’ costly exams

Employer bodies have attacked Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) guidance that Trailblazer apprenticeship incentive payments are used…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Making a HIT meal out of launch

Dozens of lucky guests got to taste a mouthwatering menu created by apprentices at the launch of the new…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Walkers barking mad at Ofsted safeguarding guidance

A Midland college has incurred the wrath of local dog walkers with its response to Ofsted safeguarding advice to…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Sir Lenny among AoC conference speakers

Comedian-turned-actor Sir Lenny Henry will be one of the guest speakers at this year’s Association of Colleges (AoC) Conference. He will…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Foundation Degree awarding powers granted to Hull College Group as government moratorium lifted

Hull College Group has become the fifth college in England to be granted Foundation Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs), after…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Progress continues at previously-troubled Barnfield College with Ofsted praise after final monitoring visit

Ofsted has identified progress across all areas looked at in a third monitoring visit of previously-troubled Barnfield College. Inspectors were at…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Colleges on the frontline of a divided nation

As social media algorithms fuel intolerance and binary thinking, college staff increasingly find themselves dealing with the fallout. Jessica…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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