FE Week Reporter | FE Week

A year of Ofsted highs and lows

It has been a year in which Ofsted stories have hit the front pages time and time again — starting back in September last year with Sir Michael Wilshaw’s “Deptford not Delhi” criticism. He warned that colleges could be at risk of focusing on international opportunities to the detriment of home-grown learners. The former head […]

Catherine’s hot job at the Ritz

A Gateshead College student is all fired up to start her new job at one of London’s most prestigious hotels, the Ritz. Catherine Smith (pictured) landed the job after scooping two gold medals in the North East Culinary Trade Awards, creating a dish for the Ramada Encore Newcastle-Gateshead Hotel and passing level two professional cookery […]

Sisters’ graduation a first class act

Two South Tyneside sisters put in first class efforts to succeed at college as they juggled full-time jobs, family life and even debilitating disease. Natalie and Juliet Hodson, from Jarrow, achieved top grades in their leadership, management and organisation degrees at Gateshead College while looking after young families. Natalie, aged 27, who regularly works 45-hour […]

A ‘paradigm pertinent’ foundation

Dame Ruth Silver has broken her silence over the demise of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) to usher in its “paradigm pertinent” replacement — the Education and Training Foundation. The LSIS chair since it was established in 2008, spoke exclusively to FE Week saying “change was absolutely needed”. Former Lewisham College principal Dame […]

The start of sector self-improvement

It’s been a tough few weeks for the Education and Training Foundation with criticism of its hiring practices and the resignation of chief executive Sir Geoff Hall. But, says David Hughes, there’s still much to be positive about. In autumn last year I was invited to chair the steering group of membership and sector organisations […]

Reflecting on a successful year

Sue Middlehurst, like many principals, is eagerly awaiting the challenges of the new academic year. Here, she examines the past year. Since I joined the Grimsby Institute Group in January 2011, it has been pleasure to see the introduction of many innovative teaching and learning practices coupled with inspiring approaches to teaching. Every day the […]

Minimum durations not a short-cut to better quality apprenticeships

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers was one of the voices opposing a minimum duration rule on apprenticeships, before the government said they had to last a year. Stewart Segal reviews the rule a year on. The news that starts for apprenticeships lasting less than a year have fallen significantly during the last twelve […]

Cracking the careers guidance conundrum

With Ofsted’s careers guidance review due out soon, Karen O’Donoghue explains what she thinks needs to be done so that youngsters are getting pointed in the right direction. The Ofsted Thematic Review on careers guidance in schools is due out soon. The debate on careers provision for young people, simmering since the introduction and […]

FE Week and Me 2014 – COMPETITION OPEN

Our annual FE Week and Me photography competition is back and once again FE Week has teamed up with NCFE and the Royal Photographic Society to hunt for stunning pictures that depict student life in the FE and skills sector, through the eyes of students. In 2014, after over 500 submissions, FE Week and competition sponsors NCFE and supporters […]