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11 April 2026

Author: Jude Burke

What’s on during National Apprenticeship Week 2017: Climbing the ladder of opportunity

The tenth National Apprenticeship Week will be celebrated across the country this year with an adventurous round of activities. The celebration, of all the wonderful things that apprenticeships have to offer, kicks off on Monday, March 6. This year’s theme is the skills minster Robert Halfon’s [pictured above] concept of the “ladder of opportunity”, and […]

Early years educator apprenticeship requirement u-turn confirmed

The government has finally confirmed that it is u-turning on the requirements for early years educator apprenticeships. Currently early years learners must achieve at least a grade C in English and maths GCSE to pass the level three course, but from April this will be broadened to include functional skills. The announcement was reported to […]

Fifteenth studio school set to close out of 36 nationwide

Another studio school is reported to be shutting its doors, making it the 15th of its kind to close and leaving just 35 open. Future Tech Studio School in Warrington, sponsored by Warrington Collegiate, will close at the end of the academic year, according to reports in the Warrington Guardian. The decision to close is […]

College governors brand SFA’s new apprenticeship contracts ‘ludicrous’

College governors have branded the SFA’s new apprenticeship contractual arrangements “ludicrous” during a heated discussion at the AoC’s Governance Summit. There is due to be a shift from contracts between the SFA and colleges to legal agreements between colleges and employers – which will amount to “a commercial relationship” with employers – according to Keith […]

First sixth form college converts to academy status today

Hereford Sixth Form College has won the race to become the first to convert to academy status. The provider, which was rated outstanding by Ofsted when it was last inspected in 2008, completed the process to become a standalone academy today (March 1). It comes almost 16 months after former chancellor George Osborne first announced […]

#SaveOurAdultEducation call for loans justice is raised in House of Lords

Leading government skills adviser Professor Alison Wolf has added her voice to calls, through FE Week’s #SaveOurAdultEducation campaign, for justice for learners saddled with large loans when training providers go under. The author of the influential 2011 Wolf Report, on the future of vocational education, spoke out in the House of Lords yesterday. This came […]

Exam board faces £50,000 Ofqual fine for handling of qualifications fraud case

An awarding organisation is facing a fine of £50,000 over its handling of a high-profile case of alleged qualifications fraud in 2015. The notice to impose a monetary penalty on Industry Qualifications, published today, is only the third such fine issued by Ofqual. It stated: “Ofqual considers that IQ breached the conditions in relation to […]

Manchester merger scrapped by FE Commissioner

One of just two mergers recommended in the troubled Manchester area review has been scrapped following intervention by the FE commissioner, FE Week understands. Plans to merge Tameside, Oldham and Stockport colleges have been called off after the FE commissioner Richard Atkins visited at least one of them – forcing them back to the drawing […]