FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Focus on Bradford and Bangalore

Professor Daniel Khan OBE, chief executive of OCN London, offers a response to Sir Michael Wilshaw’s ‘Deptford not Delhi’ speech ir Michael Wilshaw has a reputation for making controversial statements, and his speech at AoC’s conference this month has once again thrown him into the media spotlight. The Ofsted chief inspector warned of the dangers […]

WorldSkills UK squad selection

Some of the UK’s most talented young apprentices, employees and students have once again been put through their paces for a place in Squad UK for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013. Last week’s second round, held in the Midlands, follow the initial contests in June and focused on 12 skill areas, including Mechatronics, CNC Milling and turning, […]

Sally Hunt, general secretary, University and College Union

Arguing with teachers about the Falklands War, a plucky and inquisitive teenage Sally Hunt makes her way to Greenham Common women’s peace camp to campaign for nuclear disarmament. “I think things have to be argued and I think they have to be justified – I don’t think there are any givens in this world,” she […]

Delhi for Deptford

John Mountford, AoC international director, defends colleges’ foreign recruitment In recent weeks criticism has been levelled at colleges for their hugely beneficial work abroad. This very paper reported a turn of phrase by Sir Michael Wilshaw, Her Majesty’s chief inspector, which appeared to question the benefits of FE’s international work. In his speech to an […]

Prison story wows crowds at respect event

The cautionary tale of ex-con Shaun Attwood was one of the highlights of a tolerance and respect day at a Cheshire college. An audience at Macclesfield College was enthralled by the former stockbroker’s speech, in which he told of his time spent as a prisoner in the notorious Arizona state jail system having become involved […]

Innovating learning

Susan Easton, NIACE programme manager for digital learning, looks at the role new technologies could play in adult learning. The concept of learning innovation is not new, as adult learning practitioners and providers continuously review and revise their practice and delivery models. What is new, are the rapid, startling and increasingly frequent changes in technology, […]

College hunts for colourful coat wearer

The search is on for someone to play the lead role of Joseph on a West End stage for one night only. Havering College of Further and Higher Education, in Essex, is inviting male performers to audition for its one-off production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Haymarket, London, […]

Peacock feather in students’ cap

Art and design students at a Somerset college strutted their stuff on the catwalk in cardboard couture costumes. Youngsters at Strode College created sturdy costumes in just one-and-a-half days after getting back from the summer holiday before the project finale – a catwalk show in front of other students and staff. The glamorous costumes included […]

Becky aims for outstanding praise

An outstanding student award could be heading the way of a Kent Council worker. Former Bromley College student Becky Shailer, 25, has been shortlisted for praise from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Her work as an information analyst at Kent Council’s human resources department has put her on a shortlist of five for […]