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
News

ETF seeks to answer IfL membership concerns after transfer vote green light

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) said it was still working out the details of a move to take…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

High-achieving Midland apprentices honoured with House of Lords celebration

Dozens of high-achieving apprentices from West Nottinghamshire College Group were handed awards at a House of Lords ceremony to celebrate…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

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
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