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Weymouth principal suspended amid financial difficulties

Weymouth College principal Liz Myles has been suspended — around six months after FE Commissioner Dr David Collins identified “significant weaknesses” in leadership. The reason for the suspension has not been disclosed. Ms Myles (pictured), an Ofsted associate inspector of more than 20 years, took up the principal post two years ago. A statement issued […]

Chief exec redundant with end of federation

The chief executive of a two-college federation has been told his position has been made “redundant” with the break-up of the organisation after just over 12 months. Mike Hopkins stepped down as principal of Middlesbrough College to became chief executive of the newly-formed federation of Middlesbrough and Gateshead colleges in September last year. However, two […]

MPs hear of ‘cluster’ solution to apprenticeships

Colleges should form closer ties with schools to encourage more young people into apprenticeships, Ofsted FE and skills director Lorna Fitzjohn has told MPs. She gave evidence on Wednesday (November 26) to the Education Select Committee in Portcullis House, Westminster, that focused on how the number and quality of apprenticeships for 16 to 19-year-olds could […]

Brave bonzo

Kendal College has opened an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre staffed by tutors and learners — and one of the first patients was Bonzo the bearded dragon lizard, who came in for an X-ray. Experienced vets run the centre and teach level two animal care and level three animal management learners who also work there. […]

Ex-FE chief Dr Pember picks up on commissioner advice

Much has been made of the first annual report of FE Commissioner Dr David Collins. He warned colleges against dropping expensive subjects, such as science and engineering, in straitened times for the sector. But Dr Collins also laid out his findings, based on his visits to 11 colleges, on board chairs, governors, principals and clerks. […]

‘No excuses’ as Ofsted sees lack of progress in grade four recovery

The principal of a troubled London college has conceded there were “no excuses” for the poor results in an Ofsted monitoring report that found insufficient progress had been made in its efforts to bounce back from an inadequate grading. The Ofsted monitoring visit found Lewisham and Southwark College, which late last month had ministerial permission […]

Council dishes out £2m loan to ‘safeguard’ college

An East London council has given out a £2m loan to “help safeguard” the future of its local college. Newham Council cabinet approved the cash for Newham College of Further Education, which it said had been put in an “extremely difficult position” by government cuts. The college described the council’s support, agreed at a meeting […]

UKCES report branded ‘disappointing’ for missing out indies

A report from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) which warned workforce skills and skills provision must be increased to boost productivity, wages and social mobility has been branded “disappointing” by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP). The report, Growth through people, published on Monday (November 24), outlined five priorities for […]

Ofsted’s new CIF plans under three-point inspection

Reading the preamble to Ofsted’s Better inspection for all consultation suggests a degree of reflection from Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw — not only the title, but the narrative and rhetoric. He hints at three main weaknesses (or ‘areas for improvement’?) in the inspection methodology that need addressing: consistency, better inspector training and more practitioners […]