FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Star grabs the mic in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough students were given a musical treat when X Factor star Amelia Lily returned to her hometown. Amelia, who shot to fame after appearing on The X Factor in 2011, belted out hits. You Bring Me Joy and Shut Up (And Give Me Whatever You Got), at Middlesbrough College. The 18-year-old gave the students an […]

Tourism trip to Disneyland Paris

A research trip to Disneyland Paris helped a group of tourism and travel students from the South West to understand how theme parks work. The 23 Cornwall College students looked at how the parks used branding and set prices to generate profits, and then had the chance to try out the rides and watch parades, […]

Logo project goes with a roar

A graphic design student from Doncaster has created a logo for an international project aimed at disadvantaged young people. Martin Collins, who studies level three creative graphics and media at Doncaster College, won a competition to design a logo for the Lion project, which aims to develop resources to help facilitators, trainers, public sector employees […]

Galloping success for Derby College

Equestrian students from Derby College won first prize at this year’s annual inter-college riding competition. The team of second-year extended diploma in horse management learners competed against six other colleges at the final in Warwickshire. They were put through their paces in three areas: dressage, show jumping and a test of their equine knowledge. Equine […]

Using technology to raise your game

Using technology across key performance indicators can help colleges to achieve greater success, says Rob Elliott Every college wants to be successful in the quality of its provision, positive outcomes for students and, of course, long-term financial stability. And with the government’s plan to appoint an FE commissioner with the power to control and close […]

We give them bayonets. Why not the vote?

Former House of Commons Education Select Committee specialist Ben Nicholls is head of policy at London’s Newham College. He writes exclusively for FE Week, every month. He leans forward and looks me in the eyes. “But is it something the government is actually serious about? Or is it just something they talk about to try […]

X-ceptional talent at City Lit

Dozens of adult learners enjoyed a touch of Hollywood glamour as they collected prizes at an annual awards bash in London. Gillian Anderson, who played FBI special agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, handed out certificates at the City Lit ceremony. More than 30 awards were handed over, including two special presentations to two “outstanding […]

Skills are an essential part of any regional growth agenda

If local enterprise partnerships are to receive more funding, there has to be a way of measuring their impact locally. And they must demonstrate a working relationship with local education providers at all levels, including FE, says Adrian Bailey The Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee has just completed its second report into local enterprise […]

Coming back from a grade four blow

No one wants to be labelled inadequate by Ofsted, says Lynn Merilion, who describes the journey to improvement after it happened to her college earlier this year The days when Ofsted gave colleges three weeks to prepare for an inspection are long gone. This time round, we got a phone call on the Thursday of […]