FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Canterbury College beat the Monday blues

Students and staff at Canterbury College spread the happiness when they led a national campaign to beat Blue Monday. Led by its very own Blue Man, the college hosted a series of events to combat the effects of what is termed the most depressing day of the year. There was magic, music, free food, a […]

Walsall College wins best practice award

Walsall College shared best practice with colleges across the country after winning an Association of Colleges Beacon Award. The college’s functional skills team won the award for adopting innovative approaches to teaching the functional skills of English, maths and ICT within all of its vocational areas, which has led to a significant improvement to success […]

IT students turn their hands to teaching for Chesterfield College 50+ mentoring project

Chesterfield College students have been tutoring members of Derbyshire County Council’s 50+ Forum in all things computer for the past six weeks. Gill Clarke, intergenerational practice officer at the council, formed the collaboration with learners studying on the BTEC Diploma for IT Practitioners course and her 50+ Forum have been meeting for one-to-one tutelage. Last […]

Westminster Education Forum – Over 100 UTCs by next election, says Lord Baker

England could have more than 100 University Technical Colleges (UTC) up and running by the next general election, according to Lord Baker of Dorking. “We’re going to have a considerable number of UTCs over the course of the next few years,” Lord Baker said. “Possibly, by the next election, more than 100 will be approved…and […]

Doncaster College rewards its staff

James Vernon has become the first recipient of the Professional Recognition Award by Doncaster College to its staff. The Awards were launched in late 2011, to recognise the professional contribution that staff make towards the work of the college. The award will be given three times a year so a member of staff will be […]

Labour leader takes tour of Harlow College

Labour party leader Ed Miliband used a visit to Harlow College to call for the creation of more apprentices. Mr Miliband said: “Britain needs more apprentices. Any contract that government is awarding to a major employer should be on the condition that they provide apprenticeships. “It’s a simple, basic thing. But, frankly you’re not being […]

Westminster Education Forum – NAS to drive out poor quality and rogue providers

The chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has warned “all will be lost” if the sector fails to tackle poor quality apprenticeships. “In terms of quality, it’s all very well to gain market share, and grow the programme, and grow it to record numbers, but if we’re undermining the prestige and the view […]

Further Education: the heart of post 14 learning?

When Professor Wolf published her report in March 2011 she made a number of key recommendations that would crystallise the role of further education colleges in becoming a real option for young people at 14. Of course the caveats that there should be a focus on quality, that the curriculum should be balanced with meaningful […]

A chance for change at Skills Funding Agency

The announcement of the retirement of the head of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and the head of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) on the same day is a remarkable co-incidence. Those inclined towards conspiracy theories may read more into it and see it as a clear sign of impending reorganisation; a merger of the […]