Author: Expert Contributor

Reading for pleasure can transform motivation and attainment. Genevieve Clarke explains how The Reading Agency is achieving results for FE colleges with its Reading Ahead programme. Every week, the subject of FE Week’s profile page is asked to name their favourite book. It’s a great advert for reading for pleasure, but can we take enjoyment […]

Great teaching and learning, the third in a series of publications commissioned by the 157 Group and the Institute for Learning (IfL), has captured the mood of the sector to focus on high-quality teaching and learning and, we hope, steered a stimulating sector-wide debate. The first, Leading learning in further education, found that providers should […]

I am passionate about the role apprenticeships have to play in helping to re-energise our economy. They are a great way to bring new blood into a business and to ensure that new opportunities are seized and important skills are not lost. It has been gratifying, therefore, that the recommendations I put forward in my […]

The latest in a series of reports on apprenticeships came off the conveyor belt last week just as many 18 year olds were considering their options in the light of their exam results and the Government was said to be considering its options for stimulating growth and employment. The focus of this latest report was […]

It will come as no surprise to you when I say funding agencies embark on a complete reworking of their funding rules only with trepidation. Introducing a new funding system for the further education sector was never going to be an easy task. As I take up my new job as Interim Chief Executive of […]

I read with interest the article in FE week on a sample of colleges from the 157 group and their inspection judgements. The first, and most important, point to make is that the inspection framework (CIF) has not changed. The article suggests that a new common inspection framework was introduced in September 2011. It wasn’t. […]

Next year it will be compulsory for 16-year-olds to stay in education or to undertake part-time training while in work. Parliament passed a law in 2008 to raise the participation age. This will finally take effect in 2013; two years later, in 2015, the law will apply to 17-year-olds. Whatever you think of this reform, […]

Two big guns in the further education and skills sector this week announced plans to step down. The fact that embargoed government statements on both were issued simultaneously made it look like a dumping operation – a rumour the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was quick to scotch. Geoff Russell, chief executive of the […]

The conduct of exam boards and freelance examiners has been subject to much scrutiny following the Daily Telegraph’s recent exposé. Video footage submitted by undercover reporters has shown chief examiners explaining the “cycle” of exam questions to worried teachers, as well as the wording students can use to achieve higher marks. The seminar, held in London […]