News

‘Don’t assume’ £900m cuts falling on FE colleges, Boles warns MPs

It should not be assumed that “very large” in-year cuts facing the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Government 16 to 19 policy ‘requires improvement’ say three quarters of local authorities

Three quarters of councils think government policy on 16 to 19-year-olds “requires improvement,” a Local Government Association (LGA) survey…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

UTCs to be discussed in Parliament as Black Country MP challenges closure

Concerns about the University Technical Colleges (UTCs) programme will be raised in Parliament this afternoon after a decision to…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Concerns for apprenticeship growth funding after extra cash announcement delayed until after July budget

Providers which have over-delivered on their apprenticeships contracts face a long wait to find out if they will be…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Students’ suspension triggers Islamophobia row at NewVIc

An East London sixth form college has been plunged into an Islamophobia row after three students were suspended for…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Your VQ Day events guide as learners’ vocational achievements across the country get the recognition they deserve

Vocational qualifications will be celebrated by hundreds of people at colleges and independent learning providers across the country to…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


News

Internet watch ban example of ‘block on progress’

A college’s exams blanket ban on watches over fears learners could use outlawed web-enabled smart watches has been branded…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Taskforce under fire for ‘earn or learn’ name

Prime Minister David Cameron’s new troubleshooter taskforce that aims to ensure young people are “earning or learning” has started…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

DfE resit policy leads to GCSE campus chaos

Colleges readying themselves for an impending Department for Education (DfE) policy have witnessed a dramatic rise in the number…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Two ministers, one careers strategy ‘desperately needed’

The Department for Education (DfE) has overlooked Skills Minister Nick Boles (pictured above left) for its careers guidance remit —…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Woodcock’s journey up FE ladder under way

John Woodcock, the Labour MP for Cumbria’s Barrow and Furness, was appointed Shadow Education Minister for Young People last…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Labour MPs put their names forward for BIS committee chair

Labour MPs Iain Wright (pictured above left) and Roberta Blackman-Woods (pictured above right) have launched bids to challenge Adrian Bailey for…

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