Politics, Skills reform

Skills England: DfE non-exec appointed interim chair

New body will absorb IfATE functions while permanent leaders are found over the next year

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Colleges

Troubled Leicestershire college group finds merger partner

The partnership is hoped to secure the future of SMB College Group

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Politics, Skills reform

Labour’s curriculum and qualifications review to include 16-19

But it will not involve a pause and review of current level 3 defunding reforms – which is being…

Billy Camden
FE Week Reporter
Ofsted

Eight things we learned from Ofsted’s 2023-24 corporate accounts

Inspectorate has had a ‘difficult’ year and faces ‘significant’ financial challenges, documents warn

Billy Camden
Lucas Cumiskey and Samantha Booth
UCAS

Personal statements reforms to ‘level playing field’

Social mobility expert welcomes replacement of ‘love letter’ free text box

Billy Camden
Samantha Booth
Politics

King’s Speech 2024: What’s in it for FE and skills?

How Labour’s first raft of new laws on devolution, teachers and employments rights could impact FE providers

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen


Politics, Skills reform

King’s speech: Government to shift powers from IfATE to ‘Skills England’

A Skills England bill will also involve apprenticeship levy reform role

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
T Levels

Gordon Brown urges Labour to ‘ignore’ pause and review promise

Ex PM and Lord Sainsbury want new government to renege on a pledge made last year to rethink level…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Skills Federation appoints first CEO in 3 years

West Midlands Combined Authority skills head set to take on the role

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Ofsted

Ernst and Young among latest batch of Ofsted ‘outstandings’

Four providers have achieved the feat in recently published reports

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Devolution

Manchester mayor builds support for MBacc

FE Week visits an Andy Burnham regional event to learn more about his plans to boost technical education

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Adult education, Careers

DWP to merge Jobcentre Plus and National Careers Service

New work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall announces overhaul to focus on career advice

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel

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