News

Merging Midland colleges’ second naming attempt wins approval from Skills Minister Nick Boles

Two Midland colleges set to merge next month have won approval for their new name from Skills Minister Nick…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

BIS effort to boost FE Commissioner team with more advisers draws ‘significant’ response

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has received a “significant” response in its effort to boost the five-strong team…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Barbara Spicer to leave the Skills Funding Agency as hunt for permanent chief goes on

Skills Funding Agency interim boss Barbara Spicer has announced she is to step down in September as officials at…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

London college’s plan for 11 to 16 free school for business and sport wins DfE approval

An FE college in London figured among 38 bids to have won government approval to open a free school. Richmond…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

NUS calls for ‘new and better’ EMA as report shows drop in sixth form teens after it was abolished

The National Union of Students (NUS) has called for a “new and better” Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) after a…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Extra A-level funding ‘misleading’ and ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ says Sixth Form Colleges’ Association

A funding “pledge” from new Skills Minister Nick Boles (pictured) for learners taking on a fourth A-level, or baccalaureate…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


News

Sixth form colleges facing closer financial scrutiny during ‘challenging’ year

Sixth form college finances will come under a closer watch from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) as “the financial climate gets…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

MPs to look into 16 to 19 apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships for 16 to 19-year-olds are set to come under the spotlight of MPs, it has been…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

IfL hits back at ‘lack of rank-and-file consultation’ claim on ETF transfer vote

The Institute for Learning (IfL) has hit back at criticisms it failed to consult rank-and-file members over the decision…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

College’s pre-summer break job cuts announcement branded ‘cynical’ by UCU

Bosses at a college in the North East have come under fire from the University and College Union (UCU) for…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Bosses at merging colleges hope second naming attempt wins ‘heart’ of new Skills Minister Nick Boles

Two Worcestershire colleges merging next month are hoping their second attempt at a new name will win the heart…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

DfE publishes list of mandatory qualifications for learners without grade C or above in GCSE English and maths

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a list of English and maths qualifications that providers must choose from as a…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Resilient Ricketts: How Brooklands was saved from going broke

The story of a college’s fight for survival after a subcontracting scandal left it on the brink of insolvency

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Politics

Exit interview: Why Robert Halfon quit ‘the best job in government’

Halfon tells FE Week he ‘did all he could’ after leaving skills minister role

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

National apprenticeship achievement rate rises to 54%

Slight increase leaves sector way off government target

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship growth pilot cash would reach just 15 ITPs

Providers need to start at least 15 apprentices on the chosen standards to be eligible for extra funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

Treasury announces £3k top-up for 13 ‘growth sector’ apprenticeships

Training providers will have to deliver a minimum number of starts to access the cash

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships, Politics

DfE set to surrender £60m apprenticeship cash in 2023-24

Just 2% of total ring-fenced budget expected to be handed back to Treasury

Billy Camden
Billy Camden