Billy Camden | FE Week

ESFA’s adult education budget tender results delayed… AGAIN

Outcomes for the national adult education budget tender have been hit by a second delay. Results were originally supposed to be communicated on June 24 but the Education and Skills Funding Agency last week announced they would not meet the deadline. Bidders were told the next day that the outcomes would be ready for today […]

Ofsted confirms inspection changes following sexual abuse review

Inspectors will review sexual abuse records and consider how colleges handle related incidents when Ofsted returns to routine inspections in September, the watchdog has confirmed. Ofsted has today updated its FE and skills handbook to reflect the changes it promised to introduce following a recent review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges. The review […]

Sector leaders warn of ‘barmy’ delays to 16-18 traineeship expansion

Providers are being blocked from offering traineeships to 16- to 18-year-olds as the government drags its feet on a “market entry exercise” that was promised last October. Sector leaders are warning that the issue, described as “barmy”, will put the nail in the coffin of chancellor Rishi Sunak’s target to triple the number of starts […]

£73m adult education budget tender outcomes delayed

[UPDATE: A day after this article was published the ESFA said the outcomes will now be communicated on Monday 28 June.] The outcomes of the national adult education budget tender have been delayed, the Education and Skills Funding Agency has announced. In a message to bidders this afternoon, the agency said the results of […]

First exam board confirms 42% discount on entry fees

WJEC Eduqas will discount exam entry fees by 42 per cent this summer – making it the first exam board to confirm the level of savings for schools and colleges. However the sum is unlikely to go down well in the sector, with the majority of leaders expecting 75 per cent of entry fees back […]

Bumper year as 102 winners scoop silver Pearson Teaching Awards for 2021

Inspirational teachers, leaders, support staff, schools and colleges from across the country have been honoured today for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of their students. A total of 102 winners have scooped silver awards in the annual Pearson National Teaching Awards. The names have been announced to coincide with national Thank a Teacher […]

DfE considering ‘accelerated inspections’ to help Ofsted tackle Covid backlog

Gavin Williamson has revealed the government is looking to accelerate the timetable for Ofsted inspections in order to address the backlog of schools and FE providers due a visit. The education secretary was questioned by the Parliamentary education committee this morning on the possibility of speeding up the process for those left waiting for inspections, […]

Williamson looking at adaptions for 2022 exams to ensure ‘right level of support’ for students

The government is looking at a “similar set of measures” for the 2022 exams as those proposed for this summer’s series before formal tests were cancelled, Gavin Williamson has said. The education secretary told the education select committee this morning that they “very much hope and intend” for exams and vocational and technical qualifications to […]

Williamson wants to rush through university admissions reform ‘without legislation’

The government wants to rush through its plans for a post-qualifications admissions (PQA) system for universities “without legislation”, the education secretary has said. Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons today that “we really want to bring PQA forward as rapidly as possible”, and said he would like to do it “without legislation and in […]