Skip to content
27 April 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

Scouting for new album design

Nicole Beswick’s dedication as a fan to Scouting for Girls has led to her designing the pop rock band’s newest album cover. At 15 years old Nicole met the group after going to the gigs. “They started to recognise me and would come over for a chat,” she said. “Lead singer, Roy Stride, knew that […]

Joseph on way confection perfection

A Stratford-upon-Avon College apprentice is revelling in sweet success after setting up his own chocolatier business. Joseph Vaughan is completing a business administration apprenticeship while creating mouth-watering treats at his shop, 1683 Chocolate Place in Solihull. At just 16 years old, he is one of the youngest chocolatiers in the country. He makes a range […]

Walkers barking mad at Ofsted safeguarding guidance

A Midland college has incurred the wrath of local dog walkers with its response to Ofsted safeguarding advice to improve grounds security. Warwickshire College Group (WCG) group was rated as good by Ofsted in April — but inspectors said “access to their sites needs to be more secure”. They also said managers at the 14,500-learner […]

Sir Ian surprise for campaigner

The efforts of a Bolton College staff member to raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues have been recognised by veteran actor and activist Sir Ian McKellen. Learning and development mentor Nick Buckley was presented with the Most Inspirational Person of 2015 award by the Hollywood star during an anti-homophobia event held […]

Sir David Melville, chair, Pearson Education Ltd

An infinite enthusiasm for physics gave Sir David Melville the incredible opportunity to be part of the Apollo Programme to land the first man on the moon in 1969. The current chair of Pearson Education Ltd was given the opportunity in the mid-1960s after he completed his physics degree at the University of Sheffield and secured […]

A parent’s experience of college enrolment

As a marketing expert, Ruth Sparkes found the job of helping her offspring find the right FE institution an eye-opening experience.  It’s that time of year when colleges are flinging open their doors and inviting prospective students in, to ‘taste’ their wares. The summer and ‘mop-up’ campaigns are but a distant and expensive memory, and […]

The Indy Scene: Edition 153

When high street jeweller Gerald Ratner famously rubbished one of his products a few years ago, his ill-judged comments resulted in Britain’s biggest jewellery group plunging £122.3m into the red with 330 shops in Britain and the United States closing. I’m sure Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw, when rubbishing ‘cleaning’ and ‘coffee-making’ apprenticeships, did […]

A colleges’ eye view of the Spending Review

A three-year funding cycle was one of the key proposals in the AoC’s submission on the Spending Review, explains David Corke. Colleges may just be the most important element of the government’s plan to improve productivity in the UK. With industry-standard facilities and expert teachers, students receive the very best technical and professional education, which […]