FE Week Reporter | FE Week

No escape from cuts as FE and skills MPs see their own colleges hit

The impact of cuts to adult skills funding on colleges across England is increasingly being raised by MPs concerned about providers in their constituencies, with even those represented by front-bench politicians reporting problems. Click here to view the spread

CBI rejects Professor Wolf’s proposal for apprenticeship levy

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has rejected Professor Lady Alison Wolf’s recommendation that all employers pay a levy to fund apprenticeships growth. Neil Carberry, CBI director for employment and skills, said the “universal levy” put forward by the King’s College academic, who penned a 2011 government review of vocational education, might help in terms […]

Paul Eeles, chief executive, Emfec

A failed College of Food interview at the tender age of 16 had a defining effect on Paul Eeles, chief executive of Emfec (called, once-upon-a-time, the East Midlands FE Council). Having left school “with just a clutch of CSEs”, he was at the specialist college — now a part of University College Birmingham — hoping […]

UKCES gives £575k in job pay-offs

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) handed out nearly £600k in exit packages to 13 staff who chose voluntary redundancy in 2014/15, the organisation’s annual report has revealed. The report shows that exit packages for the year totalled up to £575k, with nine employees each handed between £25,000 and £50,000 upon leaving and […]

Ex-NCN principal Basi in FE Commissioner showdown

A principal accused of steering his former college into “unprofitable non-core activities” has clashed with FE Commissioner Dr David Collins. Amarjit Basi, who served as principal of New College Nottingham (NCN) for less than two years from September 2011, labelled Dr Collins’ report and the inspection process “flawed”. His comment follows the release of documents relating to […]

Merger lessons from the K College meltdown

Troubled mergers led to financial meltdown at K College last year before Graham Razey emerged as one of two principals to make the brave decision to take on parts of the college. He outlines efforts to ensure his merger was successful. To collaborate or not to collaborate? I guess that is the question on the […]

Ofsted FE director outlines ‘biggest inspection change in 20 years’

Lorna Fitzjohn outlines key elements of the new unified common inspection framework that will be in effect from September. Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw late last month outlined to attendees at Ofsted’s Future of Education Inspection conference in London details on how we will be changing the way we inspect early years, schools and FE […]

What to do if the Budget doesn’t go well for you

Late last month, sector leaders handed a 42,5000-signature petition to Number 10 Downing Street calling on the Prime Minister to halt the implementation of further drastic cuts to FE. The week before, hundreds of teachers, students and supporters packed the House of Commons to lobby MPs. Both of these events came in advance of a […]

Students keep one step ahead for critically-ill children

Students and staff from Barnsley College took their studies to the streets and raised more than £800 for an NHS transport service for critically-ill children. Donning their walking shoes were two groups of childcare learners who completed a 2.5-mile walk from the colleges Old Mill Lane campus to Worsbrough Mill. The money raised will be […]