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11 April 2026

Author: Jude Burke

Cash-strapped college finally appoints permanent principal

A financially troubled college that has been without a permanent principal for almost a year has appointed a new boss. Chris Webb, who currently heads up grade one Barnsley College, will take over the top job at Bradford College in the spring, the college has announced today. He will replace the college’s current interim principal […]

Ofsted watch: Private provider rated grade four in first inspection

A private training provider has received a grade four in its first ever Ofsted report this week, as three other providers stayed grade at three – two for the third time. Elsewhere, there was better news for a local authority provider which saw its grade go up from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’. Training 4 U […]

Third ‘requires improvement’ rating in a row for mega college in debt

A cash-strapped college whose highly-paid leader was the first in a spate of principals to step down has been rated ‘requires improvement’ for the third time in a row by Ofsted. Birmingham Metropolitan College received a grade three overall and in five headlines fields in a report published this morning. However, the inspection was carried […]

College staff survey 2018: six things we learned

The Department for Education published its first ever college staff survey earlier this week, giving a comprehensive insight into working in the FE sector. It’s based on surveys from 140 college principals and 9,603 teachers and leaders, and 117 staff return questionnaires, and covers a wide range of topics including pay, the best and most […]

WEA Awards recognise inspirational lifelong learners and tutors

A former boxer who overcame alcohol and substance abuse to get back into the ring as a coach has been crowned outstanding student of the year by the Workers’ Educational Association. Now in their sixth year, the awards celebrate the people – including learners, tutors and WEA staff – who have transformed their own lives […]

Public sector apprenticeship target: 1.4 per cent progress so far

Overall progress towards the public sector apprenticeship target stands at 1.4 per cent so far, according to statistics published by the Department for Education this morning. The target, which came into effect last April, obliges public sector organisations to make sure that new apprentices make up at least 2.3 per cent of their overall workforce […]

College group boss gives up bonus in ‘landmark’ pay deal

The new boss of a London college group has given up his annual bonus as part of a “landmark” pay deal, the University and College Union has announced today. Staff at the three colleges that make up Capital City College Group – City and Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College, and the College of Haringey, Enfield […]

UCU members at six colleges set for two-day walk out

Members of the University and College Union at six colleges will walk out for two days next week, in the first wave of strikes this year over pay. At the same time, staff at a further 26 colleges are being balloted on possible action in the future. “Staff in FE colleges have seen their pay […]