News

Cable to face MPs’ questions over failed apprentice loans policy

Business Secretary Vince Cable is this week expected to be grilled by MPs about the failed apprenticeship FE loans…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Sector leaders turn up heat on Skills Minister Matthew Hancock over controversial funding cut

An official impact assessment on the government’s controversial education funding rate cut for 18-year-olds has come under fire from…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Former college chief calls for Ofsted changes

Ofsted’s complaints process has been branded as “utterly pointless” by the chief executive who dared to boot inspectors out…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Funding cut report ‘tries to justify the unjustifiable’

The government has been accused of trying to “retrospectively justify an unjustifiable policy” with an impact assessment of plans…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Provider training firm goes bust after ‘downturn in bookings’

A company that provided training to organisations across England through the Excellence in Learning brand is being liquidated after…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Poor showing for FE sector in employer list

Just three FE and skills institutions made it onto a list of top employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Foundation appoints ‘learner voice’ to directors board

Student leader Joe Vinson has been given a seat on the director’s board of the Education and Training Foundation…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Further scrutiny after Barnfield College finance claims

The FE Commissioner began scrutinising Barnfield College at the end of this week, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Inspectors get college careers advice guidance

Ofsted inspectors have been issued new guidance on judging colleges’ provision of independent careers guidance. According to the education…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Minister takes ‘full responsibility’ as SFA software issues go on

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock has apologised for the Skills Funding Agency’s (SFA) new payment software fiasco after initially seeming…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Administered college gets ‘direct’ role in sale of provision

Troubled K College is back on the market — this time with its own corporation playing a greater role…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Teenage participation behind new DfE probe by audit office

The Department for Education (DfE) is facing a second National Audit Office probe, with efforts to increase participation in…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
16-19

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Qualifications

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Politics, Skills reform

DWP will take over apprenticeships, minister confirms

Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships policy will give “bigger emphasis on skills”, Jacqui Smith claims

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel