FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Students have a go at Filton College

Young people from the Bristol area had an opportunity to get hands-on experience of a range of skills at special “Have a Go” events during the national celebration of Colleges Week. The event is designed to showcase the opportunities offered by the college to the communities it serves and to open students’ minds to the […]

FE Week and Me mug-shot competition

Here at FE Week we appreciate all of the lovely people who contribute to the newspaper and win our exclusive competitions. As a small token of our gratitude we present each and every one of them with one of our exclusive FE Week mugs. But that’s not all though! Hidden inside is a specific set […]

Wes Streeting, CEO, Helena Kennedy Foundation

As a “geeky, gobby” free school meals kid with naff trainers, the young Wes Streeting was never going to win any popularity contests. But, he reckons, it was his own fault. “I won a book token in a school competition and bought a collection of speeches by Tony Blair and read it on the coach […]

Happy learner = outstanding college

Students’ Unions (SU) can ruffle the feathers of some college principals, for others they are their gateway to enhancing the student experience and driving up quality. I have been involved in the student movement for five years. Representing students as a class representative, as President of City College Norwich Students’ Union and now as a […]

The SFA survey says…

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) have published the results from their first College and Training Organisation Survey. Responses were received via an online survey from just over 250 people. The findings showed that 60 per cent felt the SFA had not made good progress in reducing the bureaucractic burden on the sector. Read the full […]

Good luck with R02

Colleges and other providers are being reminded that the first ‘required’ Individualised Learner Record (ILR) is due by 6pm on October 6th. The Data Service said: “Providers are encouraged to start using the new systems to check, validate and submit their R02 return”. For more information click here.

FE Week mini-mascot (Edition 4)

Follow the adventures of FE Week’s biggest and smallest fan! Mostly this week I have been driving in my car – it’s not quite a Jaguar And also you can follow our FE Week mini-mascot on Twitter @daniellinford

No change to MLPs

The SFA and YPLA have confirmed that there will be no change to Minimum Levels of Performance (MLP). The SFA said in their weekly update: “As a result of the consultations currently taking place, no changes to the process on MLP are proposed for the coming year, or to the Minimum Levels thresholds that were […]

Unemployment ‘free-for-all’

Leaked Skills Funding Agency email reveals more late policy changes, but will colleges refund the fees? Colleges will for the first time be able to claim full funding for unemployed learners not on a state benefit, following a policy update by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). Leaked email correspondence between SFA staff confirms the changes […]