Author: Billy Camden

An early monitoring visit to Learndirect Apprenticeships Ltd has produced mainly positive feedback, with only a few downsides to its delivery. Ofsted deemed the provider to be making “reasonable progress” in all fields it judges in an inspection undertaken as part of a series of visits to new apprenticeship training providers. But no significant headway […]

FE providers are being asked to apply to become centres of excellence for “basic” maths – as part of plans to address the controversial forced GCSE resits policy. In November, the Treasury pledged £40 million to establish these centres across the country to “train maths teachers and spread best practice”. The Department for Education began […]

The controversial tender process for T-levels’ awarding organisations has been launched, and will begin with two “market engagement” events next month. The government is ploughing ahead with its contentious plans to use just one AO per qualification, as per Lord Sainsbury’s recommendation in his review of technical education, despite high-profile concerns. On Friday, the Department […]

The Institute for Apprenticeships has extended the deadline on its latest T-levels consultation by four working days, following outcry from the sector at such a quick turnaround. It is seeking suggestions for the content of new pathways in digital (production, design and development), childcare and education, and construction (design, surveying and planning). However, it infuriated […]

The new president-elect of the Association of Colleges will campaign to get his fellow principals to involve learners far more in FE decision-making over the course of his tenure. In an exclusive interview with FE Week, Steve Frampton, who is also the principal of Portsmouth College, revealed that he wants to focus his year in […]

The Institute for Apprenticeships is giving the FE sector just five working days to respond to its consultation on the draft content for the first three T-levels – during half term. The body that will become responsible for the whole T-level programme later this year published the long-awaited draft content for pathways in digital, construction, […]

An FE college that was that was only incorporated in 2014 is no longer sustainable as a standalone institution, according to the FE commissioner, who has told it to merge. Prospects College of Advanced Technology, which converted from an independent training provider to college status four years ago, becoming the first college to be instituted […]

Three early monitoring visit reports on new apprenticeship providers were published this week and produced a mixed bag. Lean Education and Development Limited, based in the west Midlands, received the most positive report. Inspectors praised the provider for having a “clear vision and well-considered strategy to become a high-performing provider of learning”. LEAD became a […]

Universities are butting heads with the Institute for Apprenticeships over funding-rate reductions – and many may even stop offering degree-level standards if they go ahead. The body that polices apprenticeships announced a funding-band review of 31 standards this week. This included some of the most popular, including the chartered manager degree apprenticeship. This particular standard […]