Skills reform

Fewer share prosperity when UKSPF ends in March

Funding will be focused on mayors in the north, midlands and the most deprived communities

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Strikes

Deals end January strike threat at three colleges

Disputes settled in the north amid ramped up industrial action at large London college group

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges

AoC quids in after £9m cash windfall

New accounts also reveal the membership body’s CEO has joined the £200k club

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Skills reform

Eton gets go-ahead to develop 2 of 3 elite sixth forms

UTC among 28 of 44 free school proposals canned by DfE

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Apprenticeships

Millions lost in fraud from Covid apprentice payments

Independent covid counter-fraud report finds only £1 million recouped in apprentice incentive scheme

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
SEND

Committee chair criticises DfE response to SEND report

Helen Hayes says government must provide a ‘much more detailed response’ in the new year

Ruth Lucas
Ruth Lucas


Higher education

Office for Students chief to leave at Easter

Susan Lapworth did not give a reason for her early departure

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Exams

Ofqual: On-screen exams could be introduced by 2030

Exam boards can submit proposals for two on-screen specifications for lower entry subjects, regulator says

Ruth Lucas
Ruth Lucas
News

Dame Ann Limb becomes a Baroness

Sector grandee makes history as first former college principal to join House of Lords

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

Pearson drops out of EPA top 10 list

Latest Ofqual apprenticeship assessment stats drop also reveals the first-time pass rate has returned to above 90%

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges

Government has ‘no plans’ for FE pay review body

A single approach to pay would not meet the ‘diverse’ needs of the sector, ministers say

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
SEND

Perm sec advises against ‘blanket’ council duty on post-16 SEND transport

Top education civil servant also highlights soaring post-16 transport costs for SEND learners that have outpaced pre-16 spending

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
16-19

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Qualifications

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Politics, Skills reform

DWP will take over apprenticeships, minister confirms

Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships policy will give “bigger emphasis on skills”, Jacqui Smith claims

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel