News

Colleges under fire in social mobility commission report

A hard-hitting report by the government’s social mobility commission has attacked college performance and recommended funding for employment outcomes…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Yorkshire provider loses £500k funding over audit ‘concerns’

A West Yorkshire training provider is to have its £500,000 Skills Funding Agency contract terminated after an audit raised…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Minister in Elite tag ‘hint’ after Premier Colleges launch

A “new breed of elite colleges” appears to have been hinted at in the same week as a group…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Niace demands Pupil Premium cash for family learning

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace) wants Pupil Premium cash from the government to fund a huge…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Commons grilling for Elmfield, Syddall and SFA

Former Elmfield director Ged Syddall and Skills Funding Agency finance director Paul McGuire look set for a “no-holds-barred” grilling…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Nine in court over alleged A4e fraud

Nine former employees of welfare to work provider A4e have appeared in court charged with fraud. The six women…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Colleges hoping for VAT ‘anomaly’ end after MPs’ letter and PM pledge

Sixth form colleges could be about to see the end of a “longstanding inequality” on VAT after more than…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

The apprenticeship champion line-up

One of these three women will be crowned apprentice champion of the year. Chloe Gailes, aged 28, Karen Lowry-Hall,…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Agency restructure sees two directors remain but four out

Three directors and a chief information officer have been identified as among the first to go in a programme…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Baker’s Career Colleges ‘risk confusion’

Further education leaders have expressed concern at Lord Baker’s plans to establish “yet another” brand of vocational training colleges….

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Government figures show 16 to 18 apprenticeships down nearly 15,000 in a year

Figures published this morning show a 12 per cent (14,600) fall in 16-18 apprenticeship starts, and a one per…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

SFA lifts blanket ban on new Elmfield learners after minister orders Ofsted revisit

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has lifted its blanket ban on new learners at Elmfield Training after an early…

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