Author: Jude Burke

A financially challenged college is being forced into a merger as it becomes only the second institution to be subject to FE commissioner intervention for a second time. Richard Atkins’ report into Guildford College, published this morning, recommended that it undertake a structure and prospects appraisal to identify a potential partner to address its ongoing […]

Apprenticeship funding bands might be about to change – because employers “do not feel able” to negotiate with providers on price. The Department for Education has announced that it would review the “effectiveness of the current funding band structure” which “includes considering funding band structures” – and any changes will apply to new starts from […]

The panel undertaking a year-long review into higher education and funding, announced today by the prime minister, will include one college principal. Blackpool and the Fylde College boss Bev Robinson is one of five members of the panel, which will be chaired by finance expert and author Philip Augar. Ms Robinson is no stranger to […]

An independent training provider scored a grade two on its first ever inspection, in a week otherwise characterised by a lack of change – as all other providers inspected have held onto their previous grades. Midlands-based Train Together was rated ‘good’ across the board in a report published February 16 and based on an inspection […]

A cash-strapped college in line for a multi-million pound emergency bailout has announced plans for a make-or-break merger – its second attempt at finding a forever partner. North Shropshire College, which is currently consulting on proposals to merge with Herefordshire and Ludlow College, expects to receive £3 million in exceptional financial support to ensure that […]

A new college campus identifier will be introduced into individualised learner records from 2018/19, potentially paving the way for campus-level inspections at mega-colleges. The additional data will identify a “campus within a college group and no longer a separate legal entity but previously operated as an incorporated college with a UKPRN”, according to new guidance […]

An FE college that was only instituted in 2014 has been issued with a financial notice to improve, just six months after its former leader retired. Prospects College of Advanced Technology, which converted from an independent training provider to college status four years ago, when it became the first to be instituted in 20 years, […]

Every adult should get £10,000 for a minimum of two years just to spend on education or training, so long as they do not already have a degree, according to the influential UCL Institute of Education. And employers should be allowed to spend apprenticeship levy funds to top up these costs, including on training that doesn’t take […]

Twelve cash-strapped colleges received secret government bailouts totalling more than £11 million in December. It perhaps demonstrates a significant increase in the amount of money being dished out to struggling colleges – and has prompted demands for greater transparency. The figures were published by the Department for Education as part of a scheduled release detailing […]