Billy Camden | FE Week

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 […]

Williamson’s policy adviser set to be new Ofqual boss

A former academy trust boss and policy adviser to Gavin Williamson has been put forward to be the new chief regulator of Ofqual. The government has named Dr Jo Saxton as its preferred candidate for the role, following approval by the prime minister. Simon Lebus has been in post in the top job on an […]

Lords line up to challenge new law on provider insurance

Plans to force independent training providers to take out insurance to cover against possible cessation of training are set to be challenged in the House of Lords. The Skills Bill proposes to introduce a set of conditions required of independent training providers to be on a new government list of approved providers. Among the conditions […]

Ofsted raps performing arts provider for body shaming students

A theatre and dance company has been slammed by Ofsted for body shaming its students. Learners at the Bodywork Company, based in Cambridge, told inspectors of choosing not to eat after classes for fear they will gain weight following “inappropriate” comments made by some staff in front of their peers. Students told the watchdog that […]

Schools and colleges shut out from submitting teacher grades after exam board portal crashes

Schools and colleges are shut out from submitting teacher grades, just a day before the deadline, after an exam board’s submission portal crashed today. OCR realised at lunchtime today that schools and colleges were unable to submit results to its grade submission system. A spokesperson said “urgent action” is being taken to resolve the problem, […]