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11 April 2026

Author: Jude Burke

DfE U-turns over study programme rule change

The Education and Skills Funding Agency has U-turned on plans to bar 16- to 19-year-olds who’ve passed GCSE maths and English from following level one study programmes. The announcement today comes after the agency received feedback from a “small but significant number of providers” on the rule change, originally announced last month. “We have decided […]

Fully fund level 3 to 5 training in ‘skills shortage areas’, AoC proposes

The adult education budget should be used to fully fund training at levels three to five in skills shortage areas once the UK has left the EU, the Association of Colleges has urged. It’s one of a number of recommendations put forward in a new report, ‘Developing a Four Nations Colleges Blueprint for a post-Brexit […]

£2m bank charge for college clearing debt with bailout

A cash-strapped college has spent almost £2 million of the bailout cash it received from the government on bank charges – although it has actually saved money. Stoke on Trent College successfully bid for a reported £21.9 million from the Department for Education’s restructuring facility in September. According to its recently published 2017/18 accounts, £1.93 […]

Ofsted watch: Two NHS trusts hit with poor reports

Two NHS trusts have been put in intensive care this week, following poor Ofsted reports – one a monitoring visit, the other a full inspection. Elsewhere, a trio of providers have maintained their grade three ratings for at least the second inspection in a row. Walsall NHS Trust was rated ‘inadequate’ across the board for […]

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 267

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving Lee Probert, principal and chief executive, York College Start date: June 2019 Previous job: Principal, City of Bristol College Interesting fact: Lee has been musical director for pantomime at the Swan Theatre in Worcester three times….oh yes he has! Julie Peaks, deputy principal, Wyke Sixth Form College […]

Ofqual fine and legal costs land an awarding organisation with a six-figure bill

An awarding organisation has been left with a bill of over £100,000 from Ofqual – which includes the exams regulator’s highest ever costs for an enforcement action – after dropping its lengthy appeal against a fine. But Industry Qualifications could have been forced to cough up even more, had Ofqual decided not to waive more […]

DfE launches new ‘Fire It Up’ apprenticeships campaign

A new government campaign that aims to “shift deeply held views” on apprenticeships has been launched today. The ‘Fire It Up’ campaign will promote the benefits of apprenticeships to young people, parents and employers through a series of adverts on national TV and social media, featuring real-life apprentices. A new website will provide advice and […]