Adult education

It’s wrong that nobody knows if the adult skills fund actually works

Unlike apprenticeships, adult skills funding operates in a data black hole. Should the grant-allocated system in adult education be…

Jessica Hill
Aidan Relf
Colleges

Why FE colleges must lead the fight against coercive control

When our students took the stage to perform scenes of coercive control, their raw performances revealed an uncomfortable truth:…

Jessica Hill
John Revill and Tanya Schottlander
Ofsted

The unseen impact of Ofsted: What one grade can really cost

How a single Ofsted grade for a small part of overall provision triggered contract losses, staff redundancies and even…

Jessica Hill
Ian Ross
Colleges

We must build to deliver our city’s big reconstruction goals

The plans for Bradford’s regeneration are huge but physical capacity is holding our college back, says Chris Webb

Shane Chowen
Chris Webb
skills

The industrial strategy is quietly remaking skills policy

We should get used to priority sectors getting first dibs on limited new skills funding, writes Mike Crowhurst

Shane Chowen
Mike Crowhurst
Apprenticeships

I know how apprenticeships can fail… these reforms can fix that

Changes to funding rules are to be applauded but employers and providers must embrace their spirit

Jessica Hill
James Kimble


EDI

How FE can be a force for hope in an increasingly polarised world

Teachers should acknowledge the influences students face and provide safe spaces for dialogue

Jessica Hill
Ellisha Soanes
industrial strategy

Questions remain over industrial strategy skills pledge

Skills are mentioned 140 times in the industrial strategy – proof of their pivotal role in UK competitiveness. But…

Jessica Hill
Fiona Aldridge
Apprenticeships

Ofqual’s apprenticeship assessment reforms: A bold shift with big implications

While greater flexibility and innovation are welcome, challenges around cost, consistency, and transition remain

Jessica Hill
Daniel Green
Curriculum

Lance the Boyle of English exam papers that baffle learners

Neurodivergent or foreign students are hampered when teaching demands familiarity with Ant and Dec or Susan Boyle’s BGT audition

Jessica Hill
Amanda Blinkhorn and Jacqueline Forrester
Skills reform

Skills excellence is the missing ingredient in the UK’s industrial strategy

Skills excellence – not just skills – will drive the UK’s economic future, so don’t overlook it

Jessica Hill
Ben Blackledge
Colleges

No room to learn: The data behind the post-16 squeeze

Rising teenage populations require local authorities and training providers to crunch the data so they can prepare for the…

Jessica Hill
James Farr