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28 April 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

Photos taken from balloons 100,000ft above the Earth

South Cheshire College students sent helium balloons 100,000ft above the Earth to take a series of spectacular photos. The engineering foundation degree and BTec extended diploma learners spent six months designing the balloons to withstand extreme weather conditions. They also programmed digital cameras to take continuous photos throughout the balloons’ flights. Mechanical engineering foundation degree […]

Carnival time with wild animal and Narnia-inspired costumes

Students have created carnival-inspired costumes for Cleveland College of Art & Design’s annual week-long FE show. First year level three art and design learners were inspired for their outfits by wild animals, mythical creatures and characters from the Narnia series of books by CS Lewis. They will roam the corridors of the Green Lane campus, […]

College’s ‘mother’ Pat retires after 28 years

A long-serving personal assistant known as the “mother” of Walsall College has retired after almost three decades in FE. Pat Cyster started working at the college in 1987 as departmental secretary for Kevin Moran, who was head of catering and food technology at the time. She was personal assistant for James Norris, assistant principal for […]

Female leaders need to ‘stand up and be counted,’ says WLN chair

The chair of the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) has told how women at the top of colleges should “stand up and take a leadership role and be counted”. Sally Dicketts, pictured above, said female bosses had to play active roles in helping to improve the lives of female students. In her keynote speech to the WLN […]

Cleaning historic armour suits team of learners

West Dean College students cleaned suits of armour at Arundel Castle. Conservation of metalwork graduate and postgraduate diploma students from the West Sussex-based college, Bill Hawkes, aged 39, Dorothy Cheng, 28, Sophie Harris, 25, and Peter Jenkins, 24, polished and cleaned four metal suits that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. They also […]

Get hands-on with careers advice, says AoC research

Young people want more hands-on experience in deciding what career path they should take, according to new research from the Association of Colleges (AoC). Students aged 11 to 16 who took part in workshops run by AoC and The Skills Show called for access to more detailed guidance and more opportunity take part in Have-A-Go sessions, […]

Commissioner’s college visits hit double figures as plans for annual report are revealed

Further Education Commissioner Dr David Collins (pictured) has taken his tally of college reviews to 10, and will outline findings with an annual report this autumn. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) revealed that Dr Collins has been Weymouth College, Bicton College, City of Wolverhampton College and Stratford-upon-Avon College, on top of the […]

Lambeth College staff vote to walk out indefinitely

Staff at Lambeth College have voted to go on indefinite strike in a row over proposed changes to terms and conditions. A ballot among University and College Union (UCU) members was supported by 89 per cent of voters —with turnout of 72 per cent. The proposed strike plans mean that once the strike started, it […]