Paul Offord | FE Week

Consultation sparks hope for early years educator apprenticeships u-turn

Campaigners hope overwhelming pressure has forced the government to clear the way for a u-turn over GCSE requirements for early years educator (EYE) apprenticeships, following the launch of a new consultation. It follows outrage when it was announced in September 2014 that EYE applicants would have to gain at least a C in maths and English […]

Kensington and Chelsea College principal resigns with immediate effect

The principal of Kensington and Chelsea College has resigned with immediate effect, FE Week can reveal. Staff at the college were informed of Mark Brickley’s departure on Monday (October 31), after his resignation was accepted by the corporation the previous Friday (October 28). A spokesperson for the college would only say that Mr Brickley had […]

Fruity reception expected for Halfon’s apples and pears

Members of the Sub-Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy could be forgiven for getting fruity with Robert Halfon – just over 24 hours after his apples and pears analogy for apprenticeships left MPs fuming. The FE minister is set to face his second set of tough questions on apprenticeship reforms this week, during a […]

Police called to college following suspected stabbing

Police were called to Rotherham College of Arts and Technology today following reports that a teenager had been stabbed. South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the incident happened at around 12.50pm, after it was tweeted that the victim may have received puncture wounds to the chest. A spokesperson declined to go into detail about the precise […]

Student focus for Sir Vince Cable’s FE comeback

An FE comeback for Sir Vince Cable will see him lead a new research project for the National Union of Students into how major reforms coming for the sector should be tailored for learners. The former business secretary, who told Liberal Democrats’ conference delegates two years ago that he was responsible for blocking moves in […]

Special Westminster debate on apprenticeship cuts tomorrow

A special Westminster Hall debate called by campaigning MP David Lammy into FE Week’s exclusive revelations on apprenticeship funding cuts takes place tomorrow morning. The debate approved by the House of Commons Backbench Business Committee, which will run from 9.30am until 11am, will see apprenticeship and skills minister Robert Halfon answering tough questions on the […]

Court date set for AoC judicial review over new sixth form

The court start date has been set for the Association of College’s first judicial review against the government in more than a decade. The AoC revealed a month ago that it was going to take legal action over the Department for Education’s controversial decision to fund a new sixth form at Abbs Cross Academy and […]

FE Commissioner backs widening of area reviews

A post-16 review of sixth forms outside of the FE sector would be “very helpful”, the FE Commissioner has told the Education Select Committee. Sir David Collins spoke out on the issue this morning, during a special evidence session for the committee’s enquiry in to ongoing area reviews of post-16 education, which currently do not […]

Insolvency regime plans in new Technical and Further Education Bill

A new Technical and Further Education Bill published today has set out proposals for a new insolvency regime for FE colleges. The legislation also includes a proposal to extend the role of new vocational training policing body, the Institute for Apprenticeships, to cover technical education. The plan, it confirmed, is now is to call it the Institute […]