FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Sector ‘inequality’ at play in EFA college bail-out

Nacro, the crime reduction charity took on Southampton’s struggling Totton College after the Education Funding Agency (EFA) paid a sum, believed to run into millions of pounds, to the Hampshire local authority in order to write off the sixth form college’s pension liabilities. Noel Johnson believes this highlights college favour over independent learning providers (ILPs). […]

Scientist Alice takes on Malaria

A former FE learner who discovered a passion for science while studying at Priestly College, is playing a leading role in the world’s research in finding a cure for malaria. Alice Williamson, aged 30, was recently named one of Australia’s most promising young scientists for her work as lead experimental chemist with the Open Source […]

College course uncovers tennis talent in deafblind learner

A registered deafblind learner is turning heads at Waltham Forest College by showing a remarkable talent for playing tennis, writes Billy Camden. As Andy Murray takes to the courts for this year’s Wimbledon, just 25 miles down the road Michael-Angelo Gomes is impressing with tennis skills of his own at Waltham Forest College. The 24-year-old […]

Edition 144: Lynn Merilion, Kelly Ball, Ryan Longmate, Chris Webb, Colin Booth & Rachel Kay

City of Bristol College principal Lynn Merilion has announced her decision to resign for personal reasons. Ms Merilion, who took the college to a grade three Ofsted rating in June last year having been in post for six months when it slumped from outstanding to inadequate in April 2013, will remain as principal until November […]

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Government U-turn on new childcare apprenticeships hailed a victory for employers

A government U-turn today on GCSE English and maths entry requirements for new childcare apprenticeships launching in August has been hailed a victory for sector employers. The Department for Education (DfE) had been planning to require would-be learners to have the qualifications at grade C or above to be able to start the Early Years Educator […]

Management consultant and former Tony Blair adviser to lead £20m DfE careers company

Prominent management consultant and former adviser to Tony Blair Claudia Harris has been appointed to lead the Department for Education’s £20m ’employer-led Careers and Enterprise Company. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan announced in the House of Commons this afternoon that Ms Harris, a former partner at McKinsey & Company and health team member of ex-Prime Minister […]

‘Youngest grade one MD’ outlines journey to outstanding from requires improvement in just over a year

The managing director of a family-run Nottingham-based provider that shot up two Ofsted ratings to outstanding in just 16 months has revealed to FE Week how the company achieved its dramatic turnaround. Charlotte Moreland, believed to be one of the youngest ever managing directors to achieve an outstanding Ofsted rating at the age of 27, said she […]

Javid refuses to rule out college closures in wake of cuts during grilling from MPs

New Business Secretary Sajid Javid has refused to rule out college closures as a result of adult skills budget cuts. Mr Javid chose to criticise Labour’s economic record instead of guaranteeing the future of FE college when he was grilled by Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna during business questions in the House of Commons this […]