Jessica Hill | FE Week

SEND reform must mean better support, not fewer rights

The government’s new SEND reforms offer a rare chance to fix a system that forces families to fight for support. But success will depend on funding capacity properly and protecting learners from unintended consequences

As SEND needs rise, apprenticeships face an inclusion reality check

New ILR data shows a sharp rise in apprentices requiring additional learning support, leaving providers at risk of being judged on inclusion without being resourced to deliver it

Apprenticeships were never just for the young – history proves it

As ministers rethink apprenticeship funding, they risk forgetting a simple truth: apprenticeships were designed for mastery, not youth unemployment statistics

Stop blaming level 7 and management apprenticeships. Non-compliance could be the real problem

Before ministers swing the axe at “inappropriate” apprenticeships, they need to confront an uncomfortable truth: too many levy-funded adult apprenticeships may not meet the legal definition at all

New FE Commissioner Ellen Thinnesen heralds a new dawn for oversight

From revelation in Grimsby to tackling racism head-on in Sunderland, frontline nursing to testy mergers, Ellen Thinnesen’s unorthodox path to FE commissioner will undoubtedly shape how she does the role, writes Jessica Hill If the new FE commissioner found a college employing a teacher for a whole year without pay, you can imagine her reaction. […]

A year of change for apprenticeships – the good, the bad and the worrying

Recent funding changes have made apprenticeships more affordable and flexible for SMEs, but without a clear, stable long-term plan, confidence to invest is already starting to fray

One-size-fits-all foundation apprenticeships just won’t work

Early delivery data signals that an eight-month model may suit policy design, but it doesn’t suit fast-moving sectors or frontline services

Builders need older apprentices, not school leavers alone

Policy has narrowed its focus to school leavers which risks overlooking a large pool of motivated, capable people who want to retrain

Mission statements are the holy writ no one reads

In education, mission statements have become articles of faith. But where is the evidence that they improve teaching or learning?