FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Farewells to sector ‘champion’

Sector leaders lined up to pay tribute to the efforts of former Business Secretary and self-proclaimed FE-saviour Dr Vince Cable as a “champion of the sector”. The senior Liberal Democrat became one of the most high-profile casualties of the General Election on May 7, when he lost his Twickenham seat to the Conservatives. He has […]

Workload and constant change driving up stress

Working in FE today is more stressful than at any point in the last six years due to workloads and constant change, a survey by the University and College Union (UCU) has suggested. The report, Taking its toll – rising stress levels in further education, showed how 87 per cent of staff who took part […]

Enter apprenticeships, centre stage

The target has been set and the election won — now the government must set about achieving 3m apprenticeships. But what exactly is being aimed at and is it even the right target, asks Nick Linford. As the dust settles on a general election result few predicted, the FE and skills sector will be considering […]

‘Let’s agree there should be no relaxation of standards in pursuit of 3m apprenticeships’

David Cameron could have spoken about many policies in his agenda when he addressed the nation outside Number 10 Downing Street having been re-elected as Prime Minister — but he chose apprenticeships. David Allison considers the task ahead. No matter who you talk to in the education sector, we are all waiting with bated breath […]

Golden girl Felicity selected for second Special Olympics

A South Cheshire College student has been selected to take part in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Patisserie and confectionary learner Felicity Martin will fly to Los Angeles, USA, to compete at the event in July. The rhythmic gymnast, a member of the Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sports and Arts, will be up […]

On the ball with £10k sensory room

A new £10,000 sensory room has been installed in Central College Nottingham’s centre for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. The room contains state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment and an interactive sensory floor designed to help improve learners’ confidence and communication skills. Members of the college’s executive management team played a game of virtual football […]

Marketing man Tom’s monumental Mind challenge

A college marketing officer went that extra mile — and then some — for mental health charity Mind after overcoming depression, writes Billy Camden. A monumental challenge has been completed by Chichester College marketing officer Tom Walters and friend Morgan Calton, who cycled 2,150 miles across South East Asia in just 22 days. The duo, […]

Look at inspection results, and look at management

Research in the last edition of FE Week showed how the proportion of new grade three results was up this year versus the same period last year. Jayne Stigger considers what might be behind this rise. It was reported in FE Week that 33 per cent of the 57 general FE colleges (GFEs), sixth form […]

Colleges in peril — but looking beyond merger

Lewisham Southwark College and Greenwich Community College are both considering merger as part of reviews with the FE Commissioner having been rated as inadequate. Dame Ruth Silver argues for a broader assessment of South East London FE that does not necessarily entail merger. Here we go again, round and round the mulberry bush, looking at […]