News

AoC and AELP unite in warning BIS FE loan extension plan could hit learner numbers

The proposed expansion of the FE loans system to cover to cover level two qualifications and also younger learners could…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Reed recruitment agency stops re-selling My Distance Learning College courses amid row over 32,000 paying-learner certificates

A major recruitment agency has stopped re-selling courses run by troubled Rotherham-based provider My Distance Learning College (MDLC) amid…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

EFA pulls Chelmer Training contract after fall from outstanding to inadequate — but questions remain for Ofsted

A provider that plummeted straight from Ofsted outstanding nearly a decade ago to inadequate escaped a visit from inspectors…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Colleges asked to step in after private firm reveals plans to walk away from £17m contract

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) is looking for a general FE college to step in after a major private…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Financial dispute leaves ‘32,000’ paying students at My Distance Learning College in dark over certificates

A Rotherham-based provider has warned that 32,000 paying learners might not get their certificates after a number of awarding…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

ETF action over conflict of interest fears after director’s firm wins contract

The Education and Training Foundation has acted over conflict of interest concerns surrounding interim director Pauline Odulinski after a…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

FE Commissioner pays tribute to new leadership at inadequate Lesoco college

The new leadership team at inadequate-rated South London college Lesoco has been praised by the FE Commissioner, it has…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Audit office investigates BIS efforts to simplify FE and skills

Efforts to simplify FE funding and bureaucracy by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) are under the National…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Neet numbers at near-decade low as funding worries prompt RPA warning

The number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) in England is at its lowest quarterly…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Concerns emerge providers are claiming 24+ funding they’re not entitled to

Concerns have emerged at the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) that FE and skills providers may have been claiming funding…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Government U-turn over GCSE entry requirement for early years educator apprenticeship

The government has backed down on its GCSE entry requirement plans for early years educator apprenticeships. It had been…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Details of long-awaited new Esol quals finalised

Details of long-awaited new English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol) qualifications due to run from next month have…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

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