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27 April 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

Passing road accident test

Public services learners at Suffolk New College had their leadership skills put to the test when they were tasked to deal with the aftermath of a serious road accident. The group were given different roles in the simulation which tested the knowledge learned on their level three course. Some students played the part of those […]

In the frame with photo agency

Photography learners at Central College Nottingham have launched their own commercial photo-agency. The young snappers will run Focus Central out of the college’s photography department and will give up to 20 students on the photography foundation degree course real-life work experience of how a business operates. Students will take on assignments such as family portraits, […]

Megan chips-in with golf win

Duchy College learner Megan Giles chipped her way to victory in the golf Andalucía Junior European Open in Spain. The 16-year-old qualified for the Open, which is widely regarded as one of the biggest honours in junior golf, by winning the regional final based in the UK. The individual strokeplay championship in Spain was played […]

Movers and Shakers: Edition 162

The National Skills Academy for Financial Services (NSAFS) has appointed Peter Pledger as its chief executive, taking over from the outgoing Sylvia Perrins who has retired. Mr Pledger brings more than 20 years’ experience of working in the education and training sector to the role, with much of this in collaboration with the financial services […]

Student’s prize-winning Chartered Status logo dropped

A student’s competition-winning logo intended to be the sign of Chartered Status for FE providers has been dumped by the sector body. Lisa Cassidy (pictured above and below), who studied a foundation degree in graphic design and advertising at The Manchester College, was given the award for her winning design by the then Skills Minister […]

Neil Cain, operations director, John O’Conner

It’s been a big week for Neil Cain, who has seen his name in lights after being crowned Apprenticeship Champion of the Year for 2015. The 51-year-old operations director for grounds maintenance company John O’Conner received the award on Tuesday, almost 36 years since he began his own apprenticeship course at 16. Growing up in […]

Pearson contract doubts after Inadequate Ofsted

Pearson is in danger of having its contract with the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) terminated after Ofsted slammed its apprenticeship provision. The global education business, which provides apprenticeships for around 80 members of staff through its subcontractor Pearson TQ, has dropped two grades to be ranked “inadequate” across the board by the education watchdog. In […]

UCL launches education centre

More than 120 people attended the official launch of a new Centre for Post-14 Education and Work by the UCL Institute of Education. The event at the Institute in London, on Wednesday, featured a speech by Andy Wilson, principal of Westminster Kingsway College, who told guests: “There are so many issues for FE at the […]