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, 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