Author: Billy Camden

Summer exams will not “go ahead as normal” this year, the prime minister said tonight after announcing schools and colleges will close to most students from tomorrow. Addressing the nation to announce a new national lockdown, Boris Johnson said primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across England will “move to remote provision from tomorrow except […]

Unauthorised loans, at least £5 million in government bailouts and an inability to investigate potential “fraud” has been revealed in an embattled college’s newly published accounts. Gateshead College has been subject to FE Commissioner intervention since a number of its former leaders stepped down in late 2019 after an independent investigation was ordered when a […]

The government has pushed FE student return dates back by an extra week – but BTEC and other vocational exams will go ahead as planned in January. Under revised plans announced this afternoon by education secretary Gavin Williamson, providers will open for onsite teaching to only vulnerable students and children of critical workers next week. […]

The government will make £78 million available for the rollout of rapid mass Covid-19 testing of students from January 4. A handbook has today been published by the Department for Education for secondary schools and colleges to use to prepare for the scheme set to launch in just 11 days’ time. It states that the […]

The new interim chief regulator at Ofqual has promised to work with the sector to ensure the “smooth-running” of exams next year, as well as supporting “innovation” in assessment. It was confirmed today that Simon Lebus will replace Dame Glenys Stacey from January 1, and will stay in post until September 17. FE Week revealed […]

Unions and professional associations have said they will fully back schools and colleges that are “unable” to deliver mass testing from next month, claiming it will be “inoperable for most”. In a statement today, the groups said “no school or college should come under pressure if they are unable to implement these plans, or if […]

FE students who are not preparing for exams in 2021 must learn at home for the first week of the next term in January, the Department for Education has said. But those who are preparing for exams or need access to specialised equipment, as well as vulnerable learners and children of critical workers, should all […]

The proportion of top grades awarded to students in the Autumn A-level exams is overall lower than the summer centre assessed grades, results published today show. More than 15,000 students in England will get their results today after sitting exams between 5 and 23 October. Students who received grade A and above in the Autumn […]