FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Students given sporting chance to make documentary

Young filmmakers are making a documentary following the creation of wire mesh sports-themed sculptures. Five creative film and moving image students at Cleveland College of Art & Design have been filming artist Michelle Castle working on 15 sculptures of male figures playing sport. The works of art were commissioned by Hartlepool Borough Council as part […]

There is nothing like being made a dame

The principal of West Nottinghamshire College has spoken of her pride at receiving a Damehood from Prince Charles. Asha Khemka, who was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Year Honours List, was presented with the honour by the prince at Buckingham Palace. She is the first […]

Hair, beauty and fashion show is tailor-made by more than 120 students

A show put on by more than 120 students from Southport College was tailor-made for guests from across the fashion, hair and beauty industries. Art and design students made costumes for the models and hairdressing students did their hair. Painting and decorating learners worked on the set, performing arts students provided entertainment during intervals, and […]

Apprentice winner recalls happy days on college course

A former winner of TV show The Apprentice gave a speech to MidKent College students. Lee McQueen, who was hired by Lord Alan Sugar in 2008 after winning the BBC series, spoke about the importance of working hard and setting clear career goals to dozens of students from across the college. He also spoke fondly […]

Adult quals cull risks ‘throwing baby out with the bathwater’

The government risks “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” with cuts to qualifications it sees as worthless, FE sector leaders have warned. A host of speakers at a seminar on the future of adult vocational qualifications urged Skills Minister Matthew Hancock to think carefully about public funding cuts to apparently unpopular qualifications. It comes […]

Making progress towards an FE UCas system

The Deputy Prime Minister has called for a “UCas-style” admissions system for FE, but Gina Bradbury says that one already exists. A ‘UCas-style’ system for young people making post-GCSE choices is already here — and UCas itself is powering the service. When Nick Clegg stressed the need for such a service last month, it was […]

Seeing value in qualifications

Where qualifications are concerned, you should never assume, according to David Hughes. It is all too easy to fall into traps based on the assumptions we all make on a whole range of issues. Most of the time assumptions help, but the one trap I always remind myself to avoid is thinking that everyone has […]

Raising questions over the RPA

With statistics this month having shown a rise in the number of unemployed 16 and 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training, Nansi Ellis looks at whether the government’s policy of raising the participation age is working. Statistics this month showed that the number of unemployed 16 and 17-year-olds rose over the last three months […]

Does anyone care about 16 and 17-year-olds?

Nearly eight month since the government raised the participation age, Mark Corney evaluates a policy that will next year mean young people up to the age of 18 — increased from 17 — must remain in education or be in training. No one seems to care about 16 and 17-year-olds. Perhaps the reason is that […]