News

Darlington College tops minister’s new ‘experimental success measure’

The government has today published for the first time employment and other 19+ learner outcomes for FE and skills…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Sector leaders set out priorities for new Skills Minister Nick Boles

The appointment of Nick Boles (pictured) as Skills Minister following the promotion of his predecessor, Matthew Hancock, has led…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Providers hit by SFA funding software crash with data deadline looming

Long-running problems with new Skills Funding Agency (SFA) payment software appeared to hit providers again when the Hub data collection system crashed. It went…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Free school meals policy to blame for 16 to 19 funding cuts, claims former Gove aide

Funding for FE was cut last year to pay for the government’s universal free school meals policy, a former…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Two general FE colleges among backers in new round of UTCs announced by Chancellor George Osborne

A new round of University Technical Colleges (UTCs), involving two general FE colleges, has been announced by Chancellor George…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

BAE given £35m SFA contract despite not tendering

A £35m IT contract with the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has been awarded to BAE Systems — despite the…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


News

Warning against ‘one size fits all’ inspections as Ofsted considers FE and skills merger with schools and early years

Ofsted proposals to merge the FE and skills inspection regime with schools and early years have drawn warnings from the…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

EXCLUSIVE: Ofsted FE and skills inspections face merger with schools and early years

Ofsted’s FE and skills inspection regime could be scrapped as the watchdog looks at a huge merger shake-up including…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Trade union and business leaders issue joint agreement over traineeship pay and work experience as programme marks one-year anniversary

Trade union and business leaders have today issued a joint agreement on traineeships over pay and work experience quality…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Government Q&A on apprenticeship funding reform fails to ease concerns

Concerns about proposed new apprenticeship funding models remain despite an update on reform plans from the Department for Business,…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Free schools allowed to join ranks of the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association

Free schools could be allowed to join the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association (SFCA) after its governing council voted in…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Pressure mounts for answers over Warwickshire College principal Mariane Cavalli’s departure

A Midland college is under growing pressure to go public over the departure of its former principal after she unexpectedly…

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