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15 May 2026

Author: Nick Linford

‘Unsustainable debt’ issues behind area review delays, says FE Commissioner

Issues with colleges’ “long-standing unsustainable debt” have been highlighted by the FE Commissioner as a key cause of hold-ups with post-16 education and skills area reviews. Dr David Collins (pictured above) made the point in a letter, dated March 18 but published online by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills today, that went out […]

Photography competition win for Libby Gillard

Coleg Cambria student Libby Gillard is the winner of this year’s FE Week and Me Photography Competition. The 19-year-old, who is taking A-levels in psychology, graphic design and photography, was one of 10 entrants shortlisted in the photography student category. After being told she had won, Libby said: “Oh wow I can’t believe it, it’s […]

Bristol college’s accounts question future as a ‘going concern’

A college’s own accounts have questioned its “ability to continue as a going concern” after it was set to receive more than £11m in exceptional financial support (EFS) from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). Audited 2014/15 accounts for City of Bristol College (CBC) showed that it had received a total of £6,449,000 in EFS up […]

Data dashboard to shut down after just two years

Ofsted’s FE and skills data dashboard is to close just two years after it was launched. The announcement was made by the inspectorate on its website on March 15. Yet the dashboard, which was designed to help governors and members of the public keep a check on the performance of providers, was only launched in […]

Revving up for life in fast lane

Motorsport technology students at North Lindsey College are preparing for life in the fast lane with Lincoln-based race team PP Motorsport who are competing at the UK Clio Cup. The level three learners are gearing up to be a part of the pit crew as the team races around nine circuits in 18 races on […]

From Helmand to Hartpury

A former soldier turned boxer is taking on a completely different battleground as he aims to step into teaching with the help of Hartpury College’s university campus. Lewis Van Poetsch joined the army straight from school at age 16 and spent seven months in Afghanistan in Helmand Province with the Two Rifles Battalion in 2011. […]

Waltham Forest good sports

Students with learning disabilities at Waltham Forest College are following in the footsteps of champions like Andy Murray by learning to play tennis in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Around 40 students on the college’s Life Skills programme are taking part in the six-week scheme of tennis lessons on the indoor courts at the Lee […]

Students on patrol at RAC

The first students to join the RAC’s new patrol academy met joint chair of the apprenticeship delivery board, David Meller, as part of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week celebrations. The six recruits, who began the two year apprenticeship programme in September, study one day a week at Barking & Dagenham College, combined with on-the-job training. […]

Movers and Shakers: Edition 168

Struggling Totton College has announced Derek Headrige as its new campus principal. Mr Headrige is currently group academy dean at BMW and will start in his new role on April 18. He takes over at a time of turmoil at the college which is consulting on a restructuring plan that it is thought could lead […]