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
News

AoC and Oxford University launches investigation into devolution and localism

An investigation into the impact of the government’s devolution and localism proposals on further education is being launched by…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Skills Show organisers Find a Future appoint new chief executive

Skills Show organisers Find a Future has appointed Dr Neil Bentley as its new chief executive, it has been…

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