‘Meets expectations’ isn’t good enough if old mindset persists Scrapping the overall effectiveness judgment was meant to reduce inspection pressure but people are wrongly translating the new framework
We must measure what matters in this new era of AI upskilling While the government is finally starting to meet apprenticeship needs on AI, outdated assessment measures risk holding back progress and impact
How one FE college is turning the tide on NEETs Jessica Hill visits a former branch of Debenhams, where Blackburn College has created the Launchpad hub to re-engage the town’s NEET population with a tailored re-introduction to education and work
FE’s leadership pipeline is missing a generation FE’s leadership culture often equates experience with time served. That assumption is filtering out talent, and creating succession risks the sector can no longer ignore
If the Cook Islands can commit to lifelong learning, why can’t we? Dozens of nations have a lifelong learning strategy. England does not. As adult education participation falls and funding shrinks, it’s time to stop drifting and plan for the long term
Diving into digital reveals a distinct lack of judgment Inspection and funding systems reward what can be audited, but the human skills students need for safe, ethical practice are being pushed aside
Britain’s growth plan will fail without level 4 and 5 skills If the industrial strategy is serious about advanced manufacturing, it must finally fix the “missing middle” in our skills system
Teachers need work experience too if new pathways are to succeed Regular, structured opportunities for teachers to refresh and develop their subject knowledge is vital
The blitz on leadership training is daft policy that drains growth Axing leadership and management apprenticeships stifles inclusivity and blunts the UK’s competitive edge