FE Week Reporter | FE Week

A vision for the future of prison education

Providers who deliver adult education and skills training in England’s prisons are expecting their contracts to end next year, but the PLA wants these extended for a year. It is one of a number of proposals put forward by the organisation, as Alexandra Marks explains. This June, as we prepare to mark the National Institute […]

High profile football referee honoured at old college

Former international football referee and Rotherham College alumni Howard Webb has been recognised by the Association of Colleges (AoC) for the role that FE played in his career. He was presented with a Gold Award at a ceremony held by his former college. “I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted to have won, it’s not something I […]

Aspiring Olympian Sunny jumping for joy — and medals

An aspiring Olympian from Richard Huish College has taken a big leap in achieving her dream with selection for the Great Britain Double Mini Trampoline squad. A-level PE student Sunny Sharp currently trains with Whirlwinds Trampoline and Double Mini Trampoline (DMT) club, based in Taunton. Over the last two years the 17-year-old has become British […]

Edition 139: Tony Lewin, Abigail Appleton, Bob Pattni & Mark Ravenhall

New College Durham deputy principal Tony Lewin will be taking the top job at Newcastle College next academic year. He will also take up a position as an executive member of the Newcastle College Group (NCG) executive board from September. Mr Lewin, appointed deputy principal of New College Durham in 2009, said: “I believe passionately […]

Get on your bike, Principal Byrne

Barnet and Southgate College principal David Byrne got on his bike to raise £5,500 for a cause close to his heart as he rode across the African bush, writes Billy Camden. Long-time motorcycling enthusiast David Byrne took to the African road last month and travelled 1140km across the Zambian bush to raise awareness and funds […]

Apprenticeships ‘not the only way’ to high-quality technical education, AoC warns after Queen’s Speech

Apprenticeships are not the only way to a high-quality technical education, the Association of Colleges (AoC) has warned after the Queen’s Speech set out a duty for ministers to report annually on the growth of the programme. The AoC has called for a “comprehensive pre-apprenticeship scheme” for those learners who many not be ready for […]

Requirement for ministers to report on apprenticeships growth and Jobcentre Plus advice in Queen’s Speech

Ministers will be required to report annually on the progress of the expansion of the apprenticeship programme under measures outlined in the Queen’s Speech this morning. The new full employment and welfare benefits bill was among the first pieces of legislation announced by Her Majesty during her address in the House of Lords. The bill […]

Colleges boost regions by £550m on average, 157 Group report claims

The average impact of a college on its local economy is around £550m, according to a 157 Group report out today warning the FE sector should not be “ignored” or “undermined” by government. The report, which is the result of studies conducted with 157 Group members over a number of years and across different regions, […]

IPPR research reveals apprenticeship vacancies not keeping up with demand

Apprenticeship vacancies are not keeping up with demand, a report by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) is to claim next month. The IPPR has released the headline figures from its research into apprenticeships, which was commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA), and has prompted a call for more powers for councils. The […]