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From college classroom to Shadow FE Minister

Bethnal Green and Bow MP Rushanara Ali has replaced Tristram Hunt as the FE and skills Labour Shadow Education Minister. Ms Ali had previously been on the Labour team for international development since 2011. Following the announcement of her promotion, Ms Ali took to Twitter to say working on the international development brief had been […]

Skills report warns of numeracy and literacy failings in England and Northern Ireland

Numeracy and literacy levels among young people in England and Northern Ireland are falling way behind the rest of the world, a new report on adult skills has warned. The figures appeared this morning in a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It warned England and Northern Ireland had some of […]

Tristram Hunt takes over as Shadow Education Secretary

Tristram Hunt has been promoted to Shadow Secretary of State for Education following the departure of Stephen Twigg in today’s cabinet reshuffle. Mr Hunt, who is MP for Stoke-on-Trent, had served as Shadow Education Minister since April this year. We recently caught up with Mr Hunt on a tour of Walsall College (pictured, above), where […]

The FE sector congratulates Minister on expanded brief

Matthew Hancock MP, now Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise has been congratulated on his expanded portfolio by bodies from across the FE sector. Mr Hancock, formerly Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Skills, was promoted during today’s ministerial reshuffle. The chief executive of the Association of Colleges, Martin Doel, joined representatives from the NUS, the National […]

Governor’s stillbirth tragedy leads to charity campaign

A college governor’s tragic loss led colleagues to help raise nearly £10,000 for charity, writes Rebecca Cooney. A charity cycle took on a personal significance for a college governor and his wife, as college staff helped raise almost £10,000 for a charity dedicated to the memory of their baby daughter. A four-strong team, from MidKent […]

Time for tea party at Yorkshire college

Staff and students at a college in Yorkshire enjoyed a spot of tea and raised money for charity at the same time. The Selby College hospitality and catering department baked an array of scones and cakes, which were served with tea and coffee in the college restaurant for a tea party, which raised more than […]

Triathlete’s world championship challenge

Surrey student and champion triathlete is in a race against time to raise more than £1,000 to compete in the World Championships in Hawaii. Bury College BTec sport student Bryn Davies needs to generate £320 to enter the competition and also cash for his returns flights, which could cost more than £1,000. His dad Colin […]

New magazine showcases creative talent

Budding writers, artists and photographers in Yorkshire are being offered the chance to showcase their work in a new college magazine. Cleveland College of Art & Design students can contribute to Clubzine, run by lecturer and designer Claire Baker. She said: “Clubzine offers young designers the opportunity to let their creativity flow by making their […]

A year with Hancock on his skills ‘rollercoaster’

BREAKING NEWS: Matthew Hancock MP has today been promoted to Minister of State for Skills & Enterprise. UPDATE: Sector reaction and comment on Mr Hancock’s promotion can be found here. ——————————————————————————————— It’s been just over a year since Matthew Hancock took up the post of Skills Minister, replacing popular predecessor John Hayes. So, amid rumours of […]