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19 April 2026

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Ofsted risk-assessment under spotlight

Declining Ofsted grades were at the forefront of the ‘FE & Skills Inspections’ Westminster Briefing conference, with recent statistics showing a drop of one or more grades at 65 per cent of colleges since January this year. Matthew Coffey, the director of development, learning and skills at Ofsted, said the fall in grades is because […]

FE Week mini-mascot (Edition 32)

Follow the adventures of FE Week’s biggest and smallest fan! Mostly this week I have been driving daddy’s new family car” And also you can follow our FE Week mini-mascot on Twitter @daniellinford

Great Debate on Teaching and Learning

Joy Mercer, AoC and Bob Powell, Holex, offered opinions and views from the floor Apprenticeships were fiercely debated at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) conference, with a diverse panel of experts exploring how to improve standards. Central to the debate was the question of quality. Members of the panel suggested that the […]

Sir David Bell says “boldness matters” in further education

Sir David Bell addressed the education sector on the history of reform at the British Library yesterday. The vice chancellor of the University of Reading, speaking at a lecture organised by Tribal, was introduced as “one of the most influential educators of his generation”. The underlining theme of Sir David’s speech on education reform was the inevitable […]

FE Week mini-mascot (Edition 31)

Follow the adventures of FE Week’s biggest and smallest fan! Mostly this week I have been cooling down with an ice lolly” And also you can follow our FE Week mini-mascot on Twitter @daniellinford

FE Week mini-mascot (Edition 29)

Follow the adventures of FE Week’s biggest and smallest fan! Mostly this week I have been driving the barrel bug ride at the Eastern Farm Park in Suffolk” And also you can follow our FE Week mini-mascot on Twitter @daniellinford

FE Week mini-mascot (Edition 28)

Follow the adventures of FE Week’s biggest and smallest fan! Mostly this week I have been  splashing around in Greenwich” And also you can follow our FE Week mini-mascot on Twitter @daniellinford

FE Week mini-mascot (Edition 30)

Follow the adventures of FE Week’s biggest and smallest fan! Mostly this week I have been cutting grass” And also you can follow our FE Week mini-mascot on Twitter @daniellinford

Ofsted scraps no notice inspections

Ofsted has dropped plans to introduce no notice inspections in the FE sector. The notice period for inspections will instead be reduced to two working days from September 2012. Matthew Coffey, national director for learning and skills at Ofsted said: “After listening to people’s views following our consultation Ofsted is reducing the notice period of inspections […]