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29 April 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

Student stars in Nike advert with Ronaldo and Rooney

West Cheshire College performing arts student Macaulay Cooper’s face will be familiar to millions of football fans across the world. He starred in a Nike advert with several of the world’s greatest players that was screened for the first time during the Champions League semi-final, writes Paul Offord. Fancy a kickabout with soccer superstars Cristiano […]

Picture of happiness after portrait is shortlisted

Creative arts teacher at Bristol-based St Brendan’s Sixth Form College Richard Twose was a picture of happiness after being shortlisted to the final three for the BP Portrait of the Year Award. The 51-year-old’s painting was one of 2,377 entered in the competition worldwide and will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery. If Mr […]

Celebrity stylist gives masterclass to students

Hairdressing students at Blackpool and the Fylde College were given a master class by celebrity stylist Lee Stafford. Around 70 level one, two and three hairdressing students and apprentices were invited to drop-in and ask Mr Stafford for tips and advice, while he prepared student models for the main cutting and finishing demonstration. During the […]

BBC apprentices show they are tuned in with podcasts

BBC apprentices showed they are on the right frequency by creating podcasts looking into how more young people could be encouraged to listen to talk-orientated radio stations. The BBC launched its level three radio journalism apprenticeship scheme last September. It involves them splitting their time between studying at Lambeth College, and working with production teams […]

Hundreds celebrate apprenticeship graduation

More than 400 Merseyside learners filled Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral for what is believed to have been the UK’s largest apprenticeship graduation ceremony. The venue, which also hosts university graduations, welcomed level three and four achievers across two ceremonies on Tuesday, April 29. Among them was Adam Hill, aged 21, who studied information technology at the […]

EXCLUSIVE: BIS to go public with commissioner’s failing college judgments

The results of FE Commissioner David Collins’ inspections of failing colleges are to be made public, FE Week can reveal. Dr Collins, who can call for college leaders to be stripped of powers and even advise the Skills Minister to shut a college down, took up the newly-created post in December, but his reports and […]

Warning on principals’ ‘understanding’ of chief exec role

A report that warned dual role college principals might not “understand” their chief executive duties has been welcomed by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). The report, A New Conversation: Employer and College Engagement, by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), The 157 Group and Gazelle questioned such principals’ knowledge of […]

Dr Cable’s ‘thoughtful contribution’ to the

Business Secretary Vince Cable delivered a speech last month at Cambridge University entitled Where next for Further and Higher Education? Mark Corney looks in detail at what Dr Cable said. In 1976, Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan began a ‘great debate’ on education with a speech at a college in Oxford. Nearly 40 years on, […]