Colleges

College enrolment: Influx of resitters and 16-19s as HE and adults drop

We look at the latest data for 2023/24

Joshua Stein
Joshua Stein
Skills bootcamps

‘Risk averse’ colleges avoid skills bootcamps

Two-thirds haven’t touched the flagship government programme yet, data suggests

Joshua Stein
Joshua Stein
social mobility

College principal confirmed as permanent Social Mobility Commission chair

Alun Francis has been interim chair since Katharine Birbalsingh resigned in January

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
LSIPs

Revealed: Colleges scoop £165m local skills improvement fund

DfE green lights employer-backed skills projects led by colleges

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges, strike, UCU

Half of colleges set to strike abandon action

15 colleges still plan to hit the picket line next week

Joshua Stein
Joshua Stein
Adult education, Training Providers

‘Non-evaluators’ downgraded AEB tender score, LCG claim

Fresh allegations emerge following ‘voluntary disclosure’ of AEB procurement documents

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen


Ofsted

Lee Owston to become Ofsted national director for education

Current deputy director for schools and education will replace Chris Russell in January

Amy Walker
Amy Walker
IfATE

IfATE adds two new board members

Mark McClennon and Jane Hadfield to join institute as two members step down

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Apprenticeships, Skills reform

King’s Speech 2023: What was promised for FE and skills

Government pledges to introduce Advanced British Standard and increase apprenticeships

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges, Long read, SEND

National Star College: teaching students how to speak up and fight back

Dan, who has cerebral palsy and communicates with the world through technology that tracks his eye movements, giggles with…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Adult education

Adult education participation hits record high

But inequalities remain across social and geographical groups

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Apprenticeships

Ofqual drops first ever apprenticeship assessment stats

City and Guilds dominate the EPA market

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen

Must read

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
Adult education, ITPs

Mayors dump adult education cuts on independent training providers

Up to two-thirds axed from devolved procured budgets

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Adult education

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets

Combined authorities told to expect reductions in ‘already deeply diminished’ adult skills funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen