Nick Linford | FE Week

Movers and Shakers: Edition 173

Jenny Trapp has been appointed deputy principal of the University Technical College (UTC) South Durham, due to open this September. Ms Trapp is the current assistant headteacher at Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, and was previously an air traffic controller. She said she was “delighted” to join the UTC as “this is a fantastic opportunity […]

Simpler at what cost?

The recent schools white paper was essentially geared at simplifying the system by making them all academies. It seems that simplification is planned for post-16 academic and vocational learning. The FE sector’s very own skills white paper will strip away many post-16 qualifications to make way for the introduction of 15 technical and professional education (TPE) routes. But in an effort to funnel young people into […]

Getting personal

As an employer myself, it was a surprise to learn that Ofsted had decided not to take any action against one of its own employees for vehemently criticising Sir Michael Wilshaw. But on reflection, Wilshaw’s outspoken criticism of the sector has created an unprecedented situation. He brought Ofsted into disrepute as a witness to the […]

Featured: Marathon effort for caped crusaders

A North Shropshire College (NSC) lecturer proved he was a superhero by raising thousands of pounds for children who suffer from cancer by completing the London Marathon last Sunday, writes Billy Camden. North Shropshire College sport lecturer Paul Clark has completed the mammoth 26.2 mile London marathon and helped raise nearly £4,000 for a cause […]

Another brick in the wall

A former Walsall College construction student has proven her quality after claiming the rising star honour at this year’s Women in Construction Awards. Claire Brittain, assistant site manager at BAM Construction, was presented with her award at a glittering awards ceremony at the Palace Hotel in Manchester. In between having her two children, Claire decided to […]

Balls bounce for Buckingham

An inaugural cup competition between Bridgwater College and Richard Huish College, set up in memory of a staff member who died last year, has raised nearly £500 for Bloodwise UK. The Luke Buckingham Varsity Cup between the two colleges in Taunton was contested over the best of three sporting fixtures in netball, basketball and football. […]

Bronze for team GB

A South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College student has returned from the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in China with a bronze medal for Team GB. A-level learner Vada Finniear competed in the mixed pair category in the 13-19 age-group with his partner Kennedi Cross. Going up against 12 other partnerships, the pair got off to a shaky […]

A walk on the wild side

A rtistic students from Sussex Downs College have teamed up with a local children’s charity, Rockinghorse, to create a special mural for sick children. The team of five, all studying applied art and design, spent six weeks creating the wildlife-themed artwork in the children’s emergency department at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton. The vibrant […]

Editor Asks: New CBI boss hits out at levy plans

The launch date for the apprenticeship levy, due in April next year, needs to be postponed unless the government backs down on its phased implementation plan, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said. Carolyn Fairbairn told an audience of bosses that businesses were experiencing “deep frustration over the levy plans […]