FE Week Reporter | FE Week

New apprenticeship system to get ‘substantial upgrade’

An online system for rubber-stamping apprenticeships is in line for a “substantial upgrade” after less than a year. Students, providers and employers have been using the Apprenticeship Certificates England (ACE) system run by The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils since January. The system, which cost £120,000 to develop, processes applications for apprenticeship approval and has […]

Cautious welcome for GCSE change

Education Secretary Michael Gove’s plans to cull coursework by axing GCSEs for a new English baccalaureate have been welcomed cautiously by FE leaders. The Tory minister revealed his plans to end the GCSE, introduced in 1988, when he told MPs last week: “Record increases in performance at GCSE have not been matched by the same […]

North West Alliance Learning awards

North West apprentices and business learners came in for praise at the 20th annual Alliance Learning awards. Thirteen prizes were presented at the ceremony, hosted by Bolton-based alliance chief executive Steve Whitehead. Among the honours were apprentice of the year, a childcare apprentice award and an adult learner award. Mr Whitehead said: “The awards are […]

Ofsted plans complaint change

Ofsted is looking at slashing 25 days off its time limit for accepting complaints about inspections and publishing reports even if a complaint has been lodged. A complaint can currently be made during an inspection or up to 30 days after a report comes out. But Ofsted is reviewing the procedure with a view to […]

Chesterfield College showcase centre

Chesterfield College’s fabrication and welding department has been heralded as a national showcase centre by ABC Awards, becoming the first in the UK to gain the accolade. The initiative from ABC Awards celebrates centres that it feels represents excellent delivery of the entire suite of fabrication and welding qualifications and whose students achieve the right […]

BIG support for Middlesbrough College winning their first anti-bullying award

Middlesbrough College has picked up the UK’s first BIG anti-bullying award. The Bullying Intervention Group is a social enterprise, created to administer the award for schools, colleges and services for young people. To earn the award, colleges must show they are working to crackdown on the issue, employ consistent good practice, actively include youngsters in […]

Stratford College performs at BT Live event

Midland college students shared a stage with Brit music stars Blur, Snow Patrol, The Stereophonics and Duran Duran. Seven of Stratford-Upon-Avon College’s extended diploma in music class were picked to perform at the BT London Live event in Hyde Park. The event, part of the London 2012 Games closing celebrations, saw the students create their […]

South Cheshire pitches in for team

College bosses have played their part in helping Cheshire footballers score a new home. A new pitch at South Cheshire College, in been with, plays host to Betley Football Club’s home games. The team, which plays in the Staffordshire Saturday County League, had been on the lookout for a new base over the summer. Several […]

Coleg Gwent goes to Paralympic Games

Wheelchair rugby proved a highlight for dozens of students when they visited the Paralympic Games in London. Coleg Gwent sport students were at the Olympic Park to cheer on athletes in wheelchair rugby, goal ball, seven-a-side football and wheelchair tennis. Sophie Walters, who was one of 33 to make the trip from Newport, in Wales, […]