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26 April 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

Ofqual indentifies issues with internal assessment of ESOL provision

Assessment malpractice, funding uncertainties, new courses and immigration rules were the hot topics of discussion at a conference on English courses for foreigners. Ian Dexter, reform officer at Ofqual, kicked off the sold-out event with a presentation on proposals for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). He told the audience at London’s Morley College […]

Government figures reveal a ten per cent fall in 16-18 apprenticeships

The government has conceded that under 19 apprenticeships were proving a “major challenge” after official figures showed a 10 per cent fall in the number of starts. The number of 16 to 18-year-olds who started apprenticeships in the final quarter of the last academic year dropped 5,200 from the previous year to 22,000. The figures, […]

All is not well in the world of training providers

Training providers feel vulnerable, unrepresented, unsupported, unprotected, exploited and undervalued. That is the inevitable conclusion from the conversations I have had over the last few weeks with a range of providers across the country, says Peter Cobrin, who runs the Apprenticeships England Community Interest Company This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Over the past year […]

Principal quits on day of strike

The principal of a Kent College with a £11m budget deficit has quit on the same day as a staff strike. Bill Fearon resigned from K College on Monday night while around 150 protestors demonstrated outside a governors’ meeting on plans to cut 145 jobs. The principal, who has been at the college 10 years, […]

Common sense hopes over immigration

The accusation FE colleges are “selling immigration rather than education” has triggered a strong response from John Mountford, international director at the Association of Colleges. He questions the UK Border Agency’s knowledge of the sector, but also has hopes of a “more common sense approach” to the checking of foreign students in the UK. The […]

Fears for maths and science with college changes afoot

Set against the backdrop of an impending FE loans system and college funding cuts, the future of FE teaching in science, technology, engineering and maths could be facing tough times ahead. Kate Green, director of business development at 157 Group, and Daniel Sandford Smith, programmes director at the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s education team, look at […]

Why we need the Tech Bacc

Ed Miliband’s proposals for a Tech Bacc are welcome but perceptions still need to change, so that the vocational route is no longer seen as a second-class option, says David Grailey, the chief executive of NCFE. Ed Miliband was persuasive and engaging when he focused on tackling youth unemployment and reforming the education system so […]

SquadUK’s GOLD Success at EuroSkills 2012

Squad UK are celebrating their tremendous success at EuroSkills 2012 this evening after achieving 7 medals. Squad UK won medals in the following skills: Gold Medal – Hannah Clague, Hairdressing (and best in Nation) Gold Medal – Philip Glasgow and Gareth Jones, Carpentry Silver Medal – Sarah Smithers and Jenna Stephenson, Visual Merchandising Bronze Medal […]