Jess Staufenberg | FE Week

Eight tips to help colleges retain staff over Christmas

We’re seeing an increase in the number of colleges poaching staff, writes Jenny Arrowsmith The past 18 months have been incredibly challenging for colleges, and it’s perhaps no surprise that many colleges are now facing further disruption, with staff choosing to leave the profession. This is especially the case in the post-Christmas period, when lots […]

This term held tough news for learners with SEND

The needs of learners with SEND must be identified earlier and more effectively through person-centred planning, says Annamarie Hassall At the start of this month, Ofsted warned about the “cliff-edge” of provision for post-16 learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The words were an uncomfortable reminder that education support is unfairly complicated […]

My apprenticeship is a lifesaver – but school never told me about it

An apprenticeship has allowed me to learn in a way neither school nor a BTEC prepared me for, writes Aaliyah Cadogan I became a sports coach for children through an apprenticeship, and I feel so lucky I took that route. It wasn’t a route my school told me about when I was a student, but […]

Interview: Jo James

Jo James started as a typist at her chamber and has shot up the ranks to chief executive. She tells Jess Staufenberg why local skills improvement plans can’t be all things to all people Apparently Jo James has been out dancing all night. She beams and chuckles throughout our conversation, but is seemingly feeling the […]

The FE Week Podcast: Plans for higher education, adult participation in FE and Ofsted

This week Shane is joined by three guests, to cover three particularly interesting topics: Ed Reza Schwitzer, former DfE civil servant, Sue Pember, adult education guru, and Catherine Sezen at the Association of Colleges. Has the government got it right with its plans to involve universities more in student outcomes? How can the sector drive […]

Interview: Asi Panditharatna

Asi Panditharatna is tired of low expectations for former prisoners, drug addicts and the unemployed. He asks Jess Staufenberg why only certain people are thought of as ‘labour’ A few weeks ago the deputy prime minister came out with a grand possible solution to the HGV driver shortage causing havoc at petrol stations and food […]

Why investing in staff reflection time is money well spent

Colleges must fight against the “always busy” culture that crushes innovation, writes Brian Banks Two strange things happened to me the other morning. First, I tried to make a pot of coffee using a teabag. I recall staring in the coffee pot, dimly aware that something was wrong, but what? Then, later, I couldn’t remember […]

Keeping BTECs will allow T Levels to work

Preserving funding for applied general qualifications is the best way to ensure T Levels succeed, says Ian Pryce Can you remember that dress that went viral in 2015, generating more than 10 million tweets? There were furious rows about whether it was black and blue, or white and gold, yet everyone was looking at the […]

More Ofsted scrutiny is needed – but it must result in more funding

More inspections will reveal a system close to collapse, so ministers had better get the chequebook ready, writes Ed Reza Schwitzer The reaction was swift and predictable. From the moment it was announced that Ofsted will inspect every college, school and further education provider at least once by 2025, there were howls of protest. It […]