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Tough doorman quals assurance after fraud probe

Awarding organisations have spelled out their “rigorous” anti-fraud measures for private security industry training after it emerged that 129 security guard licenses were set to be revoked after malpractice. An undercover BBC investigation aired in March alleged staff at Ashley Commerce College (ACC), in Ilford, were prepared to sit exams for students training to work […]

FE archive dating back 100 years saved from being dumped in skip

A long-forgotten collection of key documents hidden away in the dimly-lit basement of a Somerset lodge for nearly half a century before their chance discovery led to pride of place at a London institute — it’s certainly not your average FE and skills storyline, writes Paul Offord (pictured above). But it’s one that stars New […]

Trevor Gordon, management consultant, Gordon French Associates

Trevor Gordon was the equalities officer at South East London’s Lewisham Council in the early 1990s when he was involved in a heated debate with senior officials. He was about to make a point when his boss “devastatingly” cut him short, saying ‘Trevor, you can’t speak — because you’re just not qualified to speak’. It […]

Cape Town youngsters’ warm football welcome

A group of Merseyside college learners had their eyes opened to the world of poverty as they left their first class facilities behind and headed to Cape Town to coach football to disadvantaged children, writes Billy Camden. Being met with school settings of wooden huts and dusty waste grounds covered in rubble and rubbish was […]

Sporty learners help recovery

Sport students at Stoke on Trent College are using their knowledge to aid the rehabilitation process for people who have survived strokes. Each week, members of the Stroke Association have been attending the college’s sports academy to benefit from the learners who provide one-to-one support aimed at improving mobility and fitness. Sallie Tranter, aged 17, […]

Student chemists find solutions

Five Hartpury College students found the formula for success as they clinched gold, silver and bronze medals at a chemistry olympiad. The learners — who all study A-level chemistry — had to complete a challenging written test of chemical knowledge in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s annual competition. Rachel Johnson, aged 18, was the Gloucestershire […]

Behind the scenes of the 2015 FE & Skills Survey

The hard work in designing, analysing and interpreting on the FE & Skills Survey that featured in the last edition of FE Week was carried out by the Policy Consortium. Nick Warren outlines the process. The FE & Skills Survey 2015 revealed a higher level of concern than we anticipated about government priorities, mentioned in […]

Indy Scene edition 137

I am writing this on the eve of the General Election knowing that by the time you read this all the votes will have been cast and the scramble to form a government will most likely be under way. Politicians who have been rubbishing their competitors’ policies and promises throughout the campaign will be making […]

Edition 137: Geoff Hall, Nick Lewis, Mike Hopkins & Melanie Hunt

Former Education and Training Foundation (ETF) interim chief executive Sir Geoff Hall has been appointed general secretary of the Principals’ Professional Council (PPC). He took over from Nick Lewis, who served as PPC General Secretary for the past four years, from today (May 11). Sir Geoff, a former principal and chief executive of New College […]