Young people

Gulf between Leeds and Bradford proves need for place-based fixes

As Leeds races ahead, young people in neighbouring Bradford have fewer opportunities. Will the DWP-led skills agenda dismantle the...

Jessica Hill
Chris Webb
Colleges

FE’s social impact risks being ignored if we don’t measure it

From community outreach to economic renewal, FE’s contribution goes far beyond the classroom – but we need the data...

Jessica Hill
Dr Vikki Smith
Apprenticeships

Young people can’t choose the pathways they can’t see

Despite the efforts of the Baker Clause, apprenticeships remain a mystery to students, parents and society in general. A...

Jessica Hill
Dale Walker
Opinion

Post-16 reforms could worsen the NEET problem, not solve it

ITPs provide courses that work for students who have struggled in education – they must be protected in the...

Jessica Hill
Stuart Allen
Colleges

FE can’t fix recruitment while losing staff to the menopause

When around 80,000 of FE staff are biological women aged over 40, menopause puts a huge strain on the...

Jessica Hill
Vicky Mose
The Staffroom - opinion

I’m squinting at the future but my vision remains out of focus

We teachers need to admit we don’t know what upheaval AI will unleash – will the subjects that we...

Jessica Hill
David Murray
Colleges

Leader wellbeing is central to the success of our college students

Technical CPD alone won’t sustain a workforce navigating funding pressures, safeguarding complexities and rising SEND. Colleges must rebuild leadership...

Jessica Hill
Dr Sam Parrett and Andy Wolfe
Skills reform

Without real teeth, Skills England risks drifting off course

It has a capable chair and a credible start. But unless ministers give it teeth, funding and genuine...

Jessica Hill
John Cope
Skills reform

For Skills England to succeed, the sector must lead

Skills England is already on borrowed time, because no quango survives the churn of Westminster. If the sector wants...

Jessica Hill
Mark Dawe