FE Week Reporter | FE Week

The leadership challenge

It’s a time of transition in FE as high profile principals retire and a new generation of college leaders emerges. But what does it take to run an effective and successful organisation? Does a principal need experience of teaching or does he or she simply need a flair for management? It’s not an easy time […]

‘Getting to the summit was a mixture of sadness and celebration’

A Stourbridge lecturer tells Chris Henwood why he decided to climb Mt Kilimanjaro – and why his successful ascent wasn’t as celebratory as he thought it might be Midland lecturer Steve Woollock was prepared for a gruelling trek up Mt Kilimanjaro. What he wasn’t prepared for was the death of a fellow climber. The fatality […]

The future of FE leadership services

Leadership, management and governance will be “a priority” for the FE Guild — but the future training for such skills remains in question. With the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) to cease operating at the end of the current academic year, the future of senior FE management development programmes has been thrown into doubt. […]

Ofsted boss commends ‘high standards’ at MidKent College

Kent media production learners got to quiz the chief inspector of schools when he was shown around their campus. Ofsted head Sir Michael Wilshaw was interviewed by media students, and spoke with staff on his two-hour tour around MidKent College. MidKent principal Stephen Grix said he invited Sir Michael to Medway to gain valuable feedback […]

Hull College in a league of their own

Hull FC League have given Lincolnshire sports students the chance to tackle a day’s sporting skills and leadership training. North Lindsey College students on a range of sport-related courses took part in physical and classroom activities to gain a rugby league leadership award. Chloe Myers, 17, who is studying a level three subsidiary diploma in […]

‘Brilliant’ event backs Fairtrade

High street names such as Sainsbury’s and cosmetics brand Lush took part in a Devon college’s Fairtrade Festival. Second year hospitality and event planning students at City College Plymouth, which is committed to using Fairtrade products, hosted the event late last month. Other departments that took part included hair and beauty and skills for life. […]

Somerset students feel the Commons touch

A new generation of legal eagles and lab boffins from Somerset have visited the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court in London. As well as an interactive ‘making laws’ workshop, the 26 law and forensic science students from Weston College met their local MP, John Penrose, in a visit organised by Parliament’s Education Service. […]

Knockout visit from a former champ

Billy Schwer, a former British, Commonwealth, European and International Boxing Organisation title holder, recently spoke to youngsters at Barking & Dagenham College as part of its Inspiration 2013 event. More than 40 students attended the talk, in which the Luton-born 43-year-old discussed topics such as how to deal with fears and setbacks, how to aim […]

Pershore hopes to make it a double

A Warwickshire College student has dug deep to make the final line-up for the Young Horticulturist of the Year award. Owen Groves, 23, who studies at Warwickshire’s Pershore College, will be cheered on by classmate Douglas Mackay, 22, who won top prize last year. Owen, a BSc horticulture student from Cardiff, said: “Douglas and I […]