FE Week Reporter | FE Week

New quality and access to apprenticeship fund proposed by Niace

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace) has called for a new fund to help improve the quality and access to apprenticeships. The proposal was part of its submission, lodged with partner organisation the Centre for Social Inclusion (Inclusion), to a consultation which closed on Friday (September 4) on the government’s 2015 spending review. A […]

New adult and community learning boss Pember facing a mixed performance picture

With former government FE and skills boss Dr Sue Pember now installed at the helm of adult and community learning provider membership body Holex, reporter Freddie Whittaker examines the sector’s Ofsted inspection performance last academic year. It’s the beginning of a new era for adult and community learning providers and their representative body, Holex. FE […]

Edition 145: Movers & Shakers

Among the country’s colleges, independent learning providers and other skills bodies, at least 14 have welcomed new leaders for the start of 2015/16. Harrow College has started the new term with promotion from six years as vice principal to the top job for Pat Carvalho. The appointment follows the resignation of Tony Medhurst who left […]

Commitment to the course earns Yasmin award name honour

Tutors at Warrington Collegiate were so inspired by young mum Yasmin Hancox’s commitment to her studies while struggling with the death of her father that they created an annual award in her honour, writes Billy Camden. Jasmin Hancox came to Warrington Collegiate in 2009 with no qualifications to her name after a difficult time at school. Five years […]

Dancing onto the small screen

A group of West Cheshire College dance students made it onto the small screen over the summer when they appeared on new prime time children’s TV show Hacker Time. The 10-part CBBC show, which aired at the end of July and throughout last month, stars Hacker T Dog interviewing different celebrities including, Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du […]

Schoolchildren get grounds makeover thanks to Prince’s Trust learners

While most young people spent their time relaxing this summer, this group from Bridgewater College’s Prince’s Trust Team programme dedicated their time to rejuvenating a classroom and garden area for disabled people. The Somerset college group chose nearby Jean Rees Centre at Chilton School — a learning environment they said could be more “colourful and stimulating” […]

A pilot view as new Ofsted Cif takes off

The introduction of a new Ofsted Common Inspection Framework (Cif) from this month was preceded by a number of pilot inspections under the new system. Ryan Longmate reflects on his pilot inspection experience. The launch of the new Cif will no doubt pose many new questions to schools, colleges and FE providers across the country, so […]

Approach to dyslexia marked by quality

Sophie McCormick is one of a large number of dyslexic students who have triumphed over the condition thanks to Middlesbrough College, leading to it being awarded a British Dyslexia Association Quality Mark. The 19-year-old not only got a double distinction and a merit in her BTec level three health and social care diploma, but also […]

Looking ahead to a ‘watershed year’

As the prospect of a new academic year stretching out ahead becomes a working reality for FE sector, Jayne Stigger considers what might be to come for teaching and lecturing staff in 2015/16. FE & Skills providers are being sorely tested; no one doubts that but those who endlessly shout, tweet and holler the doom […]