Fraser Whieldon | FE Week

New provider hits out at validity of Ofsted inspection done ‘on limited contact time’

A new apprenticeship provider has expressed its “frustrations” with the validity of an Ofsted report that now threatens its ability to recruit. MRG Services UK Limited’s 76 apprentices were found to “not develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours” among a litany of criticisms, in a monitoring report published on Tuesday that resulted in ‘insufficient […]

DfE goes back out to advert for Skills Reform Board chair

The government is struggling to find candidates to chair a “key” new board that will oversee skills reforms. The Skills Reform Board was formed in March 2021 in the wake of the publication of the Skills for Jobs white paper and prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a lifetime skills guarantee. The board is made […]

Education to ‘broaden minds’: Is Ofsted chief inspector singing a new tune?

The Ofsted chief inspector appears to have changed her view on using education to direct learners into work, after years of attacking arts courses for their minimal job prospects. Speaking at the Festival of Education today, Amanda Spielman said inspections should not focus on a “utilitarian” view of education. “We do children a great disservice […]

First WorldSkills UK CPD event to feature in ‘Month of Learning’

WorldSkills UK has announced its first ever professional development event, with technical masterclasses, as part of a sector-wide ‘Month of Learning’ in November. Run in partnership with the Education and Training Foundation, the virtual ‘Developing Excellence in Teaching and Training’ will feature interactive workshops and focus on four key strands. These are equity, diversity and […]

Proposed new IfATE powers ‘strike the right balance’ with Ofqual, says Williamson

The education secretary has defended plans to hand new powers to the government’s apprenticeships quango, saying it will “strike the right balance” with Ofqual’s responsibilities. Gavin Williamson, today speaking to the education select committee, called proposals to hand the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education sign-off on approving and regulating technical qualifications a “tidying up […]

Confusion and heavy lobbying forces Ofsted to ‘clarify’ Baker clause approach

Ofsted inspectors will “always” report where a school fails to comply with the Baker clause and “consider” how it affects their grade, the watchdog has clarified following mounting pressure. Yesterday, the Commons Education Select Committee recommended schools be limited to ‘requires improvement’ if they are not allowing training providers to access their pupils, as mandated […]

Pressure mounts on Ofsted to limit grades by Baker Clause compliance

MPs have called on Ofsted to cut schools off from the top two inspection grades if they fail to comply with the Baker Clause. In a report out today, the education select committee recommends a school be limited to a grade three under such circumstances. This comes days after Ofsted bosses caused confusion about whether […]

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 357

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving. Lizzy Owen, Director of curriculum growth, design and enhancement, Learning Curve Group Start date: June 2021 Previous job: Head of creative and curriculum development, Learndirect Group Interesting fact: She bakes and decorates wedding cakes in her spare time Sian Thomas. Executive director for international, The Skills […]

Colleges are unfairly being held back by their past

The government is measuring colleges by using unfair historical references that are of out of date and do not present a level playing field, writes Chris Webb. Colleges that are graded 3 and have shown significant improvement are consistently being denied access to money due to their Ofsted grade especially when they have been waiting […]