Author: Fraser Whieldon

The government has published its long-awaited response to the consultation for the level 3 qualifications review. The Department for Education set out plans yesterday to streamline the qualifications offer by funnelling students onto an ‘academic’ or ‘technical’ route. It followed a two-stage review, launched in 2019 to consider future funding for tech levels, technical certificates […]

BTECs will survive the government’s bonfire of level 3 qualifications if they can demonstrate there is a “real need” for them, it has been announced. The Department for Education has today confirmed a new streamlined system for students finishing their GCSEs will be phased in between 2023 and 2025. This will involve stripping public funding […]

The Department for Education and Ofqual have launched a consultation on proposals for vocational and general assessments and exams in 2021/22. The proposals include an end to teacher-assessed grades, measures for streamlining assessments and exams, and mitigations for students sitting GCSE English and maths exams. Education secretary Gavin Williamson said while exams “will always be […]

Apprenticeship sector leaders have attacked a new funding rule concerning apprentices’ learning difficulties assessments, slamming it as “totally wrong”. The new rule, due to take effect from August, would mean providers will not be able to assess apprentices for funding for any learning difficulties as a standard part of enrolment. “Providers must not put apprentices […]

The elite of the country’s apprentice employers, providers and sector leaders were honoured at the FE Week-AELP Annual Apprenticeship Conference Awards on Thursday. Twenty-three winners across different apprenticeship routes were recognised, and there were additionally awards for SEND, diversity, special recognition, outstanding contribution, promoting apprenticeships and overall apprentice provider and employer awards. Shane Mann, awards […]

The window for colleges to opt into the second year of the 16 to 19 tuition fund has been delayed. A message from the Education and Skills Funding Agency was issued this afternoon stating that the process for 2021/22 will not start until after colleges return in September. The original plan was to allow colleges […]