Billy Camden | FE Week

High-profile college leader to step down

The president of the Association of Colleges is retiring as chief executive of one of England’s largest college groups at the end of the year. Sally Dicketts has informed the Activate Learning board that she will be stepping down after 18 years at the helm. She told FE Week that she will being staying on […]

What Pearson found in its survey on the future of exams

Eight of out ten teachers believe high stakes exams should be taken throughout the year, and most want more autonomy over testing, an exam board survey has revealed. Pearson has published initial findings from its review into the future of qualifications and assessment in the UK. The awarding body surveyed 5,000 people, including students, parents […]

DfE scraps ‘ludicrous’ bootcamp research and launches leak investigation

The Department for Education has been forced into an embarrassing U-turn by dropping “secret” plans to ban thousands of eligible jobless people from taking part in skills bootcamps. The DfE has also launched an investigation into how the plans, laid out in a document sent to 18 providers and over 100 of their partners (see […]

Education secretary to open Festival of Education 2021: how to watch

Education secretary Gavin Williamson will open the Festival of Education today, kickstarting the two-week long virtual event. The festival will include some of the best-known names in the education sector alongside thought-provoking debate sessions. New ‘Friday Fest’ days will also feature invaluable CPD opportunities for all education professionals. (See the full schedule here). Thanks to […]

Ofsted bosses contradictory over limiting inspection grades for poor careers advice

A confused picture has emerged after Ofsted’s chief inspector contradicted her FE director on whether poor careers advice could limit inspection grades. Chief inspector Amanda Spielman told the Commons education select committee this morning it was “unlikely” a school would receive an ‘outstanding’ rating if its careers guidance, namely compliance with the Baker Clause, was […]

Skills Bill: Labour to seek amendments to local skills improvement plans and IfATE powers

Labour will seek amendments to the Skills Bill so that metro mayors have a bigger role in local skills improvement plans, the House of Lords has heard. The party will also seek to remove proposed new powers for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, warning that the plans would “undermine the independent status” of […]

DfE reforms to BTECs and other level 3 quals will hit disadvantaged students hardest, sector warns

Government plans to remove funding for the majority of BTECs will hit the most disadvantaged young students the hardest, numerous sector-representative groups have warned. In a joint statement published today for a campaign called #ProtectStudentChoice, 11 organisations urge ministers to rethink plans outlined in the level 3 qualifications review. They express concern that removing funding […]

Strikes on the cards at 11 colleges

University and College Union members at 11 colleges across England are voting on industrial action from today. Ten of the ballots follow college bosses’ “refusal to make a decent pay off to staff”, while a separate one has opened at a group that is planning to make 30 staff redundant while investing in a controversial […]

Number 10 seeks education and skills deputy director for new delivery unit

Number 10 is seeking a “deputy director for education, jobs and skills” to work in a new unit set up to drive policy implementation. According to a job advert, the new £71,000 to £117,800-a-year role will be based in the Number 10 Delivery Unit, a new team within the Cabinet Office that “should grow to […]