FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Vocational education the Swiss way

As another review into apprenticeships begins, guest reporter Shane Chowen visits Switzerland and reports on what we can learn from their apprenticeship system “For me the decision was easy. Most of the students at my school got apprenticeships, my dad did an apprenticeship; it’s a normal thing to do here. I’m looking forward to working […]

Nigel Duncan, principal, Fareham College

“You can turn on a sixpence and you can respond very quickly,” Nigel says. “To pull the team together is just a phone call away, rather than having to plan around lots and lots of diaries. “I love that cut and thrust, I love that sort of business acumen.” Despite its small size, Nigel Duncan […]

A traditional solution to an age-old problem

No one should doubt Professor Alison Wolf’s words when in her review of 14-19 education she said that ‘English and Maths GCSE (at grades A*-C) are fundamental to young people’s employment and education prospects. However, as we once again focus on improving the English and Maths skills of the flow into and stock of the […]

Moving to functional skills

The change to Functional Skills comes after almost a decade of one approach to literacy and numeracy provision and, on the whole, this change is welcome. For a long time, there has been a groundswell of concern that the Skills for Life strategy became about chasing qualifications and preparing learners for multiple-choice tests rather than […]

EFA publish 16-19 funding guidance for 2012/13

The Education Funding Agency has published a series of documents outlining its funding arrangements for 2012/13. It includes version 1 of the funding regulations, which affects all learners aged 16 to 19 and some learners aged 19 to 24 who are funded by the Agency. Meanwhile version 1 of the rates and formula document provides information […]

Sixth-form colleges fear for their future

A report by the Sixth Form Colleges Forum (SFCF) warns that many colleges “fear for their future” because of the government’s drive “to create a market” in 16 to 18 education. The Sixth Sense report (see right) argues that the government promotes school and academy sixth forms at the expense of sixth-form colleges. It says […]

Lead provider ‘top-slice’ amounts published by SFA

A spreadsheet published by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has revealed how much money lead providers are handing over to subcontractors. The data shows a wide range of ‘top-slice’ amounts taken by prime contractors, ranging from 99 per cent to minus 185 per cent. The SFA said the figures detail the costs and responsibilities taken […]

Olympic hopefuls in the ring at Dearne Valley College

A group of students from Dearne Valley College are off to compete in the Olympic games. The six college students have been selected to represent Great Britain in the male 48kg, 56kg, 64kg, 91kg boxing categories and the female 60kg and 75kg categories. Charlie Edwards, Luke Campbell, Tom Stalker, Anthony Joshua, Natasha Jonas and Savannah […]

Award winning artist at Derby College

An innovative artwork depicting the power of water through textiles has earned a Derby College student a £400 bursary award from the Derby Decorative and Fine Arts Society. Robyn Poundall, an art foundation diploma student, was one of five students based at The Roundhouse shortlisted for a bursary. Their work, which ranged from fashion and […]