Colleges, Long read

Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission

Deprived areas need vision – not victimhood – to level up, and Social Mobility Commission chair Alun Francis is...

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Ofsted reforms

Do inspectors have skill to spot ‘exemplary’ in specialist fields?

We're backing Ofsted’s reforms – but unresolved risks include inconsistent grading and the challenge of defining ‘exemplary’ practice

Jessica Hill
Kerry Boffey
Skills funding

Why is the chancellor avoiding the easiest win for growth?

It’s cheap, quick, and universally supported. Yet the chancellor barely mentioned skills in her spending review. In a time...

Jessica Hill
Ben Rowland
FE funding

What does the Spending Review really mean for FE?

The chancellor has pledged an extra £1.2 billion annually for FE by 2028-29. But amid demographic pressures and staff...

Jessica Hill
Imran Tahir
Skills reform

Bridging the AI advantage gap and why FE must act now

As AI transforms the workplace, research reveals essential skills such as creativity and teamwork are critical to harnessing its...

Jessica Hill
Robert Craig
Colleges

No cuts but no cure: FE’s funding dilemma post spending review

The Chancellor avoided cuts and boosted 16-18 funding – a rare relief for colleges. But with adult skills, apprenticeships,...

Jessica Hill
David Hughes
Adult education

Spending review marks yet another failure for adult skills

Despite cross-government recognition of adult skills being vital for growth, Rachel Reeves has not delivered the investment needed to...

Jessica Hill
Sue Pember
Apprenticeships

Locked out at level 7: Apprentices face an unexpected glass ceiling

Upskilling shouldn’t expire at 22: Apprentices deserve to reach their full potential

Jessica Hill
Alexia Williams
Long read, Skills reform

Stephen Evans, CEO of Learning and Work Institute

Battling cuts to adult education has been the defining task for Stephen Evans at Learning and Work Institute, but...

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill