Author: Billy Camden

A cash-strapped college’s merger plans have been delayed owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College, which was told by FE Commissioner Richard Atkins last year that it could not survive as a standalone due to its “terminal” finances, had scheduled to join the Trafford College Group by August. A consultation on […]

Exams regulator Ofqual has released a few more details about its grading plans this summer, ahead of the publication of its consultation (due “shortly”). Here’s our speed read of what you need to know.   1. 12-day window to submit teacher grades It’s been confirmed the window for all schools and colleges to submit their […]

Apprentices aged 16 to 19 will also be expected to restart face-to-face contact with their training provider from June. The Department for Education made the announcement in updated guidance last night that offered colleges significant flexibility over which learners they invite back onsite after half term. It made clear that not only can they bring […]

College leaders have been given significant flexibility over which learners they invite back onsite from as soon as June. The Department for Education made the announcement in updated guidance tonight after college leaders had strongly demanded them. It is understood senior staff from the Education and Skills Funding Agency had phoned nearly every college principal […]

A school has been rapped by Ofsted for flouting the Baker Clause, as the inspectorate begins to police the controversial rule. Leicestershire-based King Edward VII Science and Sport College was rated ‘inadequate’ in a report published on Wednesday following an inspection in January. Inspectors found, among other leadership and safeguarding issues, that the school was […]

The Department for Education has published a “checklist” to assist colleges with their wider reopening from 1 June. Government guidance was updated this evening to help leaders decide “what to consider and steps to take when planning increased attendance”. It says that given the “varied nature” of colleges it is “not possible for the government […]

Colleges and training providers will have a three week “window” to provide calculated grades for vocational and technical qualifications from 1 June, Ofqual has revealed. The exams regulator has today published further guidance for grading the courses this summer owing to the cancellation of exams. It follows an announcement at the end of April that […]

Unions representing tens of thousands of college staff have set out five “tests” they believe should be met before students return on 1 June. In a joint statement, the University and College Union, GMB, National Education Union, UNISON and Unite said staff and student “safety” must be “guaranteed” before colleges open more widely. They called […]

Two weeks after the Education and Skills Funding Agency announced they would intervene at apprenticeship providers that failed to meet the minimum standards in 2018/19 they have pushed back the plans by more than four months. Officials originally said on 29 April they would send out letters to those in scope, understood to be several […]