Let’s build a brighter future for adults this Colleges Week As Colleges Week 2025 unfolds, let’s spotlight the often overlooked yet vital role adult education plays in achieving many of the government’s priorities
Apprenticeship reforms mirror Scotland – and that’s good England’s scrapping of mandatory functional skills for adults and a reduction in apprenticeship length where necessary shows a pragmatism that will reap rewards
No more shocks please DfE over apprenticeship achievement rates A shock demand from the ESFA meant some providers had to close programmes last year – the FIN wants assurances it won’t happen again
Collaboration was our way of solving a local SEND crisis Organisations have their own targets to hit, but pooling resources between our LA and trust boosted delivery
Students need protection from the wealth of misinformation The popularity of social media ‘finfluencers’ with dubious credentials should be tackled head-on by colleges
Maths resitters aim for bullseye on darts day Numbers have been brought alive at Nescot with classroom dart boards and a visit by three Darts stars – including a world champ
New apprenticeships will boost flow of plumbers We’ve consulted with industry to develop apprenticeships that will help solve plumbing skills crisis
Research on EMA support has defied common sense My EMA initiative helped disadvantaged students stay in education and was widely praised—until recent research questioned its long-term impact. But when academic findings contradict lived experience, should we trust the numbers or our instincts?
Searching for a hire power High vacancy rates continue to blight FE, with courses scrapped and agency costs soaring. We examine teacher recruitment problems – and potential solutions