News

Provider hit with grade four rating after just one apprenticeship achievement in two years

An independent learning provider that has seen just one learner achieve an apprenticeship since it started running the programme almost…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

SFA relaxes traineeship subcontractor rules while DWP ‘increases access’ for young JSA claimants

The Skills Funding Agency has relaxed its rules on new traineeship subcontracting to allow all grade three-rated and non-inspected…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

New toolkit launched to help FE providers comply with rules on radicalisation

A toolkit aimed at helping colleges and independent learning providers comply with new government rules on preventing radicalisation has been…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Colleges defend subcontracting agreements with ‘cult’ school chain

Two FE colleges have defended their dealings with a religious school chain denounced as a “cult” by former members and…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Lewisham Southwark College gets two-inadequates-in-a-row first as pace of improvement criticised

Lewisham Southwark College has been given the ignominious honour of becoming the first FE and skills provider to be branded…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

AoC demands investigation by MPs after review reveals 37 per cent starts success in £340m employer ownership of skills pilot

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has demanded an inquiry by MPs in the next Parliament into a “waste of…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


News

Ex-A4e workers jailed over £300k taxpayer fraud

Five former A4e workers have been jailed for their parts in a back-to-work scheme fraud that cost the taxpayer nearly…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Dr Lynne Sedgmore to become FE and skills’ first Poet Laureate

*** Hands up if you fell for it? Yes, this was our April Fool’s Day 2015 prank story, and…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Government response to sixth form college VAT campaign on Parliament dissolution day branded ‘cynical’

The Government has been branded “cynical” by the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association (SFCA) after responding to a long-running campaign…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Hunt pledges new FE bill within ‘first 100 days’ of a Labour government

New legislation around apprenticeships and training will be one of the first bits of work for a Labour government,…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Election questions from across the FE and skills sector

The election period officially begins today — and last week saw the leaders of the two largest parties being put…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Sector facing ‘significant impact’ as swamped SFA delays qualifications announcement

Awarding organisations (AO) have warned about the “significant impact” of a delay in finding out whether hundreds of qualifications…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

Must read

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
Adult education, ITPs

Mayors dump adult education cuts on independent training providers

Up to two-thirds axed from devolved procured budgets

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Adult education

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets

Combined authorities told to expect reductions in ‘already deeply diminished’ adult skills funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen