Skills reform

Skills England’s new expert network will cut red tape, not corners

Reforms can be delivered at pace without compromising quality if employer insight is used effectively and proportionately, says Gemma...

Shane Chowen
Gemma Marsh
Adult education

FE is the missing partner in social prescribing

FE institutions are rebuilding confidence, reducing isolation and supporting wellbeing every day, yet they remain largely invisible in health...

Jessica Hill
Dipa Ganguli
The Staffroom - opinion

A night in the cells set students free to play and make connections

A criminology residential in a preserved Victorian prison revealed something unexpected: when teenagers are given space to play, connection,...

Jessica Hill
Grace England
Opinion

‘Computer says no’ is a huge concern among young people

AI may promise efficiency, but many job candidates fear it’s a barrier that shuts down opportunity and stops employers...

Jessica Hill
Raya Wexler
Ofsted

‘Meets expectations’ isn’t good enough if old mindset persists

Scrapping the overall effectiveness judgment was meant to reduce inspection pressure but people are wrongly translating the new framework

Jessica Hill
Lou Doyle
Apprenticeships

We must measure what matters in this new era of AI upskilling

While the government is finally starting to meet apprenticeship needs on AI, outdated assessment measures risk holding back progress...

Jessica Hill
Euan Blair
FE workforce

FE’s leadership pipeline is missing a generation

FE’s leadership culture often equates experience with time served. That assumption is filtering out talent, and creating succession risks...

Jessica Hill
Imran Mir
Adult education

If the Cook Islands can commit to lifelong learning, why can’t we?

Dozens of nations have a lifelong learning strategy. England does not. As adult education participation falls and funding shrinks,...

Jessica Hill
Simon Parkinson
Teaching

Diving into digital reveals a distinct lack of judgment

Inspection and funding systems reward what can be audited, but the human skills students need for safe, ethical practice...

Jessica Hill
Nuala Smith