Nick Linford | FE Week

Upturn in 16 to 18 apprenticeship fortunes

The fortunes of 16 to 18 apprenticeships appear to be changing with the first year-on-year rise for the third quarter (Q3) of the academic year since 2010/11. The number of under 19 apprenticeship starts for Q3 of the current academic year was 18,400 — the same period last year was 17,300, in 2011/12 it was […]

In defence of criticisms of UCU’s graded lesson observation report

Former Ofsted FE and skills inspector Phil Hatton was critical of a report from University of Wolverhampton academic Dr Matt O’Leary that raised “serious questions about the fitness for purpose” of graded lesson observations. This is Dr O’Leary’s response to Mr Hatton. The University and College Union (UCU) research project into the use and impact […]

Colleges under fire over Gazelle’s £3.5m

A month-long FE Week investigation into multi-million pound funding of Gazelle by UK colleges has resulted in criticism that public money was being used on “expensive initiatives which have little educational impact”. The group’s five founding colleges have dished out more than £530,000 each to Gazelle, according to figures obtained from Freedom of Information Act. […]

Loans plan could see full costs hit 19 to 23s

The government is considering extending the FE loans system to cover level two qualifications and more learners as it looks to make 19 to 23-year-olds who don’t move up a level pay full course costs. The system currently applies to learners aged at least 24 and studying at level three or four — but a […]

Union calls national ‘day of action’ in support of staff on indefinite strike at Lambeth College

The University and College Union (UCU) has called a national “day of action” tomorrow in support of staff in their fourth week of a strike at Lambeth College. The UCU has asked members working at colleges and universities across the country to help increase awareness of the indefinite industrial action launched on June 3. They […]

Top job at Skills Funding Agency on offer — ‘no FE and skills experience necessary’

The post of full-time chief executive at the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) is on offer with a salary of up to £142,000 a-year — and “no FE and skills experience necessary”. The role, currently held on an interim basis by Barbara Spicer (pictured right), also comes with a possible bonus of up to £17,500 after three […]

Education Funding Agency to stick with 2011/12 minimum standards when judging last year’s provision

The Education Funding Agency has published guidance on how 16 to 19 provision from 2012/13 will be judged. The agency said the minimum standards from 2011/12 would continue to be used. A spokesperson said: “In the 2012 to 2013 academic year, a school sixth form or college will be seen as underperforming if its results […]

New EFA guidance for providers confirms English and maths funding requirement from 2014/15

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has today published guidance that confirms new funding requirements for English and maths. Its post-16 funding regulations for next academic year cover rates and formula, individualised learner records funding returns and sub-contracting control regulations. Also covered is the EFA’s new requirement for English and maths. The guidance says: “Students who do […]

New report calls for more ‘earning and learning’ in bid to cut youth unemployment

A report out today from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills has called for more ‘earning and learning’ with the UK having experienced a fall in the number of young people combining work with learning. Precarious Futures? Youth employment in an international context noted no other European state saw the same fall in the […]