FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Tutors are more than an ‘expensive luxury’

New national occupational standards for personal tutoring will help to raise standards across the sector, writes Sally Wootton The learning and skills sector has long supported the idea that personal tutoring contributes to improved retention and achievement, with a great deal of research suggesting that it lies at the heart of every learner’s experience and […]

We need to talk about the Tech Bacc

The government’s plans for vocational education move the debate forward but more detailed discussions with employers, and FE and school sector representatives are vital, says Brian Lightman After what has felt like an incredibly long wait, there is some sense of relief that the government has finally given an indication of its plans for vocational […]

Governor backs defiant Taylor

‘It’s a comfort to be asked to stay on,’ says Coventry principal The chair of City College Coventry’s board of governors has refused to sack his principal after a disastrous inspection result. The college was branded inadequate — a grade four result — across each of the education watchdog’s headline fields. The 8,000-learner college was […]

David Frost, chair, Local Enterprise Partnership Network

David Frost has waged war in two major financial battles — and come out fighting. The economist watched the recession of the early 1980s “decimate” UK manufacturing and the 2008 economic downturn spawn banking breakdown, two crises that arguably defined his career. Through 1981 and 82, Newcastle-born Frost became known as a troubleshooter as he […]

[download#107]

Success tastes sweet for Carshalton

A five-layer chocolate orange cheesecake was among the dishes that a group of Surrey students used to tempt judges of the Nestle Toque D’or competition. Chef student Jose Queirolo, front-of-house student Jamie Newman, and Lois Benjamin, who acted as commis chef, all from Carshalton College, presented their two-course lunch, with a main of Peruvian steak, […]

Twin qualification in Superbike contest

Midlands students had the chance to live life in the fast lane when they qualified at the first round of the MCE British Superbike Championship. Motorcyclists, twins and Black Country UTC students Matthew and Kurt Wigley represented the UTC and were accompanied by four fellow engineering students, who gained valuable hands-on experience as the pitcrew. […]

‘I don’t want the fairytale to end’

A college catering assistant honoured in the new year is now looking forward to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. She’s just hoping the sun will shine, writes Rebecca Cooney A college catering assistant from Romford has received a British Empire Medal and has been invited to tea with the Queen. Sandra Coats, 57, has […]

Kenyan adventure for 19 learners

Bracknell & Wokingham College students spent two weeks in Kenya helping to renovate two primary schools. The 19 learners, who study a range of A-level and vocational subjects including construction, health and social care, travel and tourism, childcare and uniformed public services, built a security fence and painted classrooms at one school, and rebuilt classroom […]