FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Provider involvement in prison learning review ‘essential’

Justice Secretary Michael Gove’s wide-ranging review of prison learning is set to include the system of provider contracting. Alexandra takes a closer look at the current system and what she thinks is needed of the review. This term, prison education is high up on the political agenda. Following a rousing speech prioritising learning for prisoners in July, […]

Fetl research grants awarded to the Association of Colleges and Policy Connect

The Further Education Trust for Leadership (Fetl) has awarded research grants to the Association of Colleges (AoC) and Policy Connect. The AoC’s project will see it work alongside the University of Oxford to investigate the impact of the government’s devolution and localism proposals on FE. Meanwhile, a Fetl spokesperson said that parliamentary networking group Policy […]

Vince Cable, secretary of state for business, innovation and skills

Many would say the Liberal Democrats were a moderating force on the austerity policies of their Conservative Coalition partners. Many others still would say that they failed to hold back the tide of cuts that has swept across government spending since the General Election of 2010. It is a tide against which Dr Vince Cable claims to have struggled on […]

Hairdressing skills put crown on wedding day

When clumps of hair began falling out of hairdresser Ellie Baker’s head just before her wedding day, she feared she might be a bald bride. But thanks to the skills gained on her Cornwall College course she was able to walk down the aisle with her locks flowing and now uses her skills to help other alopecia sufferers, writes […]

Edition 147: Movers and Shakers

Bradford College has welcomed David Harwood as its new principal. He was previously the senior deputy principal of Leeds City College. He said he was “keen to focus my energies on what really makes a difference” in his new role. “My belief is that students come first where we have a collective approach in providing a teaching environment […]

Sector commissioners in recruitment drive

Two new advisers have been appointed by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to help Sixth Form Commissioner Peter Mucklow haul in under-achieving providers. The first of them is chair of governors at Blackpool Sixth Form College (SFC) and national leader of governance advocate at the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL), John Boyle. The […]

New Ofqual framework to focus on outcomes

Ofqual’s replacement for the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF) will give awarding organisations more freedom to review and develop their qualifications, the watchdog’s vocational qualifications boss has said. The new Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), which comes into force on October 1, will take away the rules and structure of the QCF and instead focus on outcomes. Speaking […]

Sixth Form Colleges’ Association chief executive standing down

Chief Executive of the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association (SFCA) David Igoe will be standing down at the end of March. Eddie Playfair, chair of the SFCA Council, announced this morning that he had received and accepted his resignation. Mr Igoe will though be carrying on in the post until March 31, he added. Mr Igoe, […]

Sector leaders spell out key issues for Shadow Business Secretary

Apprenticeships and government cuts to FE were among the top issues on the agenda for sector leaders keen to meet new Shadow Business Secretary Angela Eagle. Welcoming Ms Eagle to her new role, a number of FE and skills sector bodies have outlined the key areas they would like to see her address in shaping […]