Jude Burke | FE Week

Principal who jumped ship as financial failure exposed is slammed by FE Commissioner

A total failure of leadership and governance at a cash-strapped London college are laid bare in a new FE commissioner report, published today. Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College received two visits from Richard Atkins and his team over the summer, prompted by its precarious financial position which has now left it dependent on government […]

Plans to place limits on apprenticeship providers described as ‘absurd’

The founder of one of the largest providers in the country has hit out at plans by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to limit the amount of apprenticeships cash he and other providers can earn. John Hyde, who also co-founded the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, said it would be “absurd” to introduce […]

Head of post-18 review remains tight-lipped after budget offers no ‘little extras’ for FE

The chair of the government’s post-18 education review remained tight-lipped on whether it will result in more funding for the sector, after yesterday’s budget offered no “little extras” for FE. Speaking at today’s Association of Employment and Learning Providers autumn conference in Manchester, Philip Augar (pictured) said his “first obligation is to report to the […]

Ofsted slate wiped clean for grade four UTC joining MAT

A university technical college rated ‘inadequate’ earlier this year will have its Ofsted slate wiped clean as it joins a multi-academy trust under a new name this week. Medway UTC, which received the lowest possible grade from the education watchdog in May, will join The Howard Academy Trust (THAT) on November 1 as Waterfront UTC. It’s […]

IfA and ESFA in listening mode about apprenticeship concerns at FAB conference

The bosses of the Institute for Apprenticeships and the Education and Skills Funding Agency were in listening mode today, as they acknowledged there were points they needed to “learn from” about apprenticeship assessment. Sir Gerry Berragan and Eileen Milner’s speeches on the second day of the Federation of Awarding Bodies conference followed a panel discussion […]

Thousands march on parliament to protest for fair college funding

Thousands of learners, staff and leaders marched on parliament today in “the most amazing show by colleges ever” to demand fairer funding, as the centrepiece of Colleges Week. The march for FE, organised by the University and College Union in partnership with the Association of Colleges, was followed by a packed rally in Parliament Square […]

DfE figures shoot down UTCs’ ‘incredible’ destinations claims

New government data has undermined boasts about University Technical Colleges’ “excellent destinations”, and shows the level of NEET leavers to be eight times higher than is claimed. The Baker Dearing Trust, which backs UTCs, has repeatedly asserted that just one per cent of 18-year-olds leaving the 14 to 19 technical institutions were not in employment, […]

Revealed: Six more apprenticeship providers banned from taking new recruits

Six more poor-performing apprenticeship providers have been barred from taking on new starts – bringing the total up to 12. The penalties were revealed in the latest update to the register of apprenticeship training providers, dated October 11. It means that the Education and Skills Funding Agency has wielded its powers against all new apprenticeship […]

IfA consulting on content for three new T-level pathways

The Institute for Apprenticeships is seeking input from providers, awarding organisations and employers on the draft content for three more T-level pathways. Its consultation on the three new courses – two in construction and one in digital – was launched today and runs until November 12. The new pathways, in onsite construction, building services engineering […]