Why FE colleges should say yes to research With time and budgets under pressure, research projects can seem like a luxury. But participating in evidence-based trials could help colleges tackle some of their toughest teaching and learning challenges
You can’t climb a jobs ladder without the rungs The government’s youth employment push opens doors but without clear progression routes, too many young workers will be left stuck at the first rung
Ofsted’s five-day rule is only the beginning The extended inspection notice period has transformed preparation for many providers, but inconsistent use by inspectors risks undermining its benefits
Colleges are losing students in the system When colleges miss their enrolment targets, the usual assumption is weak demand. More often, the problem may be a fragmented recruitment process that allows applicants to slip away unnoticed
FE is the missing partner in social prescribing FE institutions are rebuilding confidence, reducing isolation and supporting wellbeing every day, yet they remain largely invisible in health system design
A night in the cells set students free to play and make connections A criminology residential in a preserved Victorian prison revealed something unexpected: when teenagers are given space to play, connection, confidence and learning flourish
Colleges could pay teachers more but are choosing not to The pay gap with schoolteachers is often blamed on funding but colleges need to confront uncomfortable truths about how they prioritise staff pay
‘Computer says no’ is a huge concern among young people AI may promise efficiency, but many job candidates fear it’s a barrier that shuts down opportunity and stops employers hearing their story
‘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