The government has pledged up to £32.3 million to help buy back a college campus that serves the community affected by the Grenfell Tower fire – marking a huge win for campaigners.

The funding will support the recovery and refurbishment of Kensington and Chelsea College’s site on Wornington Road, as well as its merger with Morley College.

The Wornington site was sold for £25.3 million to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in 2016, despite heavy local opposition.

This is a hard fought victory for the North Kensington community

An independent review conducted by consultancy firm Kroll later concluded that the sale was not in the interests of its local community and KCC’s new leaders branded the sale as “plainly wrong” and “shameful”.

Campaigners have been fighting to recover it, and even brought the issue to prime minister Theresa May two months ago.

It will now come back to the college at a cut price, after an agreement of just £10 million for the campus was agreed between the government and Kensington and Chelsea Council.

“This is a hard fought victory for the North Kensington community,” said a Save Wornington College Campaign spokesperson.

“The tenacity of groups like the Save Wornington College Campaign and the Friends of North Kensington Library show that you mustn’t give up hope when faced with the big beasts of the establishment.”

KCC’s latest accounts show that it has hit a deficit of more than £10 million in the past three years which is eating into its “significant” reserves of £34.6 million, which were built up partly by the controversial sale of the Wornington campus.

The embattled college, which received its fifth consecutive grade three report from Ofsted earlier this year, announced plans to merge with Morley College in March in a bid to secure its long-term future.

Of the £32.3 million, the Department for Education will provide £23.6 million, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will stump up £8 million, and the Greater London Authority will give £700,000.

Skills minister Anne Milton said: “The Grenfell Tower fire was a terrible tragedy and its impact will be felt by the local community for many years ahead. This funding will support the planned merger between Kensington and Chelsea College and Morley College so local people can get the high-quality further education and training they need.

“It is good to see everyone working across government to make sure that Grenfell residents get much needed support.”

Andy Cole, principal of Kensington and Chelsea College, said: “We greatly welcome this investment, which will support substantial and ongoing educational provision for the communities of Kensington and Chelsea.

“Our board and leadership will examine the full implications for the future of the College, in the context of the proposed merger with Morley College, over coming days.

“Both colleges remain committed to a successful outcome of our plans to secure high-quality further education in the borough.”

Communities secretary James Brokenshire added that it is “essential that two years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the people of North Kensington continue to get the support they deserve to help them rebuild their lives”.

And minister for Grenfell Victims, Nick Hurd said this decision is an “important step in securing a vibrant future for a much loved Community asset”.

“A big collective effort went into making this happen, and I pay tribute in particular to a passionate residents campaign,” he added.

 

More than 160 “duplicate qualifications” at level 3 and below will have their funding removed from August 2020 – including 76 BTECs, the education secretary confirmed today.

The government will also stop any new qualification at those levels from getting approval for funding from 2020.

It is part of a crack down on “poor quality post-16 qualifications”, and follows the first of a two-stage consultation to decide the future of over 12,000 vocational qualifications at level 3 and below.

The government wants to make A-levels, T-levels and apprenticeships the “gold standard” option for young people after they take their GCSEs from 2020.

It will only continue to fund alternative qualifications at level 3 and below – such as applied generals, BTECs and Tech Levels – that do not overlap with them and are “high quality, are necessary, have a clear purpose, and lead to good outcomes”.

Those that will have their funding withdrawn from August 2020 are “legacy” qualifications – which don’t feature any external assessment. They have all been replaced by new “more rigorous” versions which will continue to be funded by the Department for Education.

“I have previously said you cannot legislate for parity of esteem between technical and academic education – you’ve got to ensure high standards, then the esteem will come,” education secretary Damian Hinds said today.

“Our unrelenting focus on improving the quality of the qualifications available is key to this.

“The current system is confusing and complicated, with more than 12,000 qualifications available at level 3 and below. We are reviewing qualifications to boost the quality of the options out there so more students and parents will trust them.”

Some sector leaders have expressed concern that the level 3 and below review is manipulation of the market – something the skills minister Anne Milton has strongly denied.

The DfE said the response to its first consultation will be published alongside the launch of the second consultation later this year, which will set out more detailed proposals for change, including the criteria that will be used to determine whether a qualification will be approved for public funding.

Pearson, which awards BTECs, has been approached for comment about today’s announcement.

 

Pre-existing qualification number	Pre-existing qualification title	Awarding organisation	Level	Sector subject area (tier 2)	Qualification type
50024000	OCR Level 3 Principal Learning in Engineering	OCR	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50062451	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Understanding Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
50062463	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
50065038	City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Floristry	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
50066730	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Science	Applied General
50067205	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Science	Applied General
50067254	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Science	Applied General
50067266	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Applied Science (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Science	Applied General
50067461	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
50067473	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
50067485	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Business (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
50067503	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Business (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
50067515	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sport (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
50067539	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Sport (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
50067552	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
50067643	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
50067655	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
50067667	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
50068015	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
50068726	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
50068738	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
50069196	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
50069202	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Performing Arts (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
50071373	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
50071397	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
50071403	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
50071440	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Art and Design (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Crafts, creative arts and design	Applied General
50072833	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50072961	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50073199	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50073333	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Art and Design (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Crafts, creative arts and design	Applied General
50073898	VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing	VTCT	Level 3	Service enterprises	Tech Level
50077132	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Applied Law (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Law and legal services	Applied General
50077181	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Music (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
50077995	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50078008	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering  (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50079281	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Crafts, creative arts and design	Applied General
50080970	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50080982	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50081548	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50081561	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Applied General
50081652	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
50082425	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Agriculture (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50082437	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Animal Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50082619	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50082656	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50082668	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
50082796	City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Animal Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50082802	City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50083016	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50083028	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50083119	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50083211	City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50083363	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
50083843	City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
50083855	City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horticulture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
50083880	City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Agriculture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50084872	City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50084896	City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50084902	City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50085608	City & Guilds Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Countryside Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
50087083	City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50087095	City & Guilds  Level 3 Diploma in Horse Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50087149	City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horse Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50087204	City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
50087241	City & Guilds  Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
50089419	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Service enterprises	Tech Level
50091001	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Barbering	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Service enterprises	Tech Level
50091475	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in IT (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Applied General
50091487	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in IT (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Applied General
50093174	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Health and social care	Applied General
50094282	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50094312	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Horse Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50094324	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horse Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
50094658	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Health and social care	Applied General
50095018	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Health and social care	Applied General
50097878	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Travel and Tourism (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Travel and tourism	Applied General
60014842	VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Barbering	VTCT	Level 3	Service enterprises	Tech Level
60022449	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Hospitality and catering	Tech Level
60028269	UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design	University of the Arts London	Level 3	Crafts, creative arts and design	Applied General
60028270	UAL Level 3 Diploma in Art & Design	University of the Arts London	Level 3	Crafts, creative arts and design	Applied General
60030835	WJEC Level 3 Diploma In Criminology	WJEC-CBAC	Level 3	Sociology and social policy	Applied General
60038871	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in IT (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Applied General
60038895	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Business (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
60039309	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
60039310	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Sport (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
60042266	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Business	OCR	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
60042291	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Business	OCR	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
60042308	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Health and Social Care	OCR	Level 3	Health and social care	Applied General
60042321	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Business	OCR	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
60042333	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care	OCR	Level 3	Health and social care	Applied General
60042345	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT	OCR	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Tech Level
60042357	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in Business	OCR	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
60042369	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in Health and Social Care	OCR	Level 3	Health and social care	Applied General
60042370	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in IT	OCR	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Tech Level
60043866	WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition	WJEC-CBAC	Level 3	Hospitality and catering	Applied General
60046089	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Business	OCR	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
60046120	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Health and Social Care	OCR	Level 3	Health and social care	Applied General
60046235	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT	OCR	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Applied General
60048050	VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Professional Patisserie and Confectionery	VTCT	Level 3	Hospitality and catering	Tech Level
60054979	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Plumbing Studies	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
60054992	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures)	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
60058493	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Applied Science (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Science	Applied General
60060487	City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Agriculture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
60061005	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in Media	OCR	Level 3	Media and communication	Tech Level
60061121	City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Animal Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
60061133	City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Countryside Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
60061145	City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Horse Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
60061157	City & Guilds Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Horticulture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
60061406	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Sport	OCR	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
60061431	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Sport	OCR	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
60061777	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Media	OCR	Level 3	Media and communication	Tech Level
60061789	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Health and social care	Applied General
60061972	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Media	OCR	Level 3	Media and communication	Tech Level
60066131	RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners	Rock School Ltd	Level 3	Performing arts	Tech Level
60069958	VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing	VTCT	Level 3	Service enterprises	Tech Level
60077943	IMI Level 3 Diploma in Land-Based Technology (VRQ)	The Institute of the Motor Industry	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
60078339	CISI Level 3 Diploma In Finance, Risk & Investment	Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment	Level 3	Accounting and finance	Applied General
60080504	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Bench Joinery	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
60085927	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Painting and Decorating	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
60086658	VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Studies	VTCT	Level 3	Service enterprises	Tech Level
60087080	VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing Studies	VTCT	Level 3	Service enterprises	Tech Level
60087092	VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Barbering Studies	VTCT	Level 3	Service enterprises	Tech Level
60090054	VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery Studies	VTCT	Level 3	Hospitality and catering	Tech Level
60093316	EAL Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Installation	Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
60101118	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in Performing Arts	OCR	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
60102470	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Performing Arts	OCR	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
60102482	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Performing Arts	OCR	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
60102494	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Performing Arts	OCR	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
60102500	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts	OCR	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
60105021	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
60105641	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Horse Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
60110016	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Plastering	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
60110958	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
60110995	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
60111008	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Horticulture (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
60121476	NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)	NCFE	Level 3	Child development and well-being	Tech Level
60125251	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (VRQ)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Child development and well-being	Tech Level
60125275	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (VRQ)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Child development and well-being	Tech Level
60131172	City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) (540)	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Child development and well-being	Tech Level
60131354	VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Sports Studies	VTCT	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
60131366	VTCT Level 3 Introductory Diploma in Sports Studies	VTCT	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
60131378	VTCT Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sports Studies	VTCT	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General
60145365	AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering : Power Network Engineering (VRQ)	AQA Education	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
60145377	AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering : Design Engineering (VRQ)	AQA Education	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
60145389	AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering : Mechatronic Engineering (VRQ)	AQA Education	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
60145419	AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: Networking (VRQ)	AQA Education	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Tech Level
60145420	AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: User Support (VRQ)	AQA Education	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Tech Level
60145432	AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: Programming (VRQ)	AQA Education	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Tech Level
5007314X	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Engineering	Tech Level
5008351X	Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horticulture (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
5008401X	City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Horticulture and forestry	Tech Level
5008561X	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
5010682X	City & Guilds  Level 3 Extended Diploma in Land-based Technology	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Agriculture	Tech Level
6003953X	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Performing Arts (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Performing arts	Applied General
6004228X	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in IT	OCR	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Applied General
6004231X	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT	OCR	Level 3	ICT practitioners	Tech Level
6005072X	City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Complementary Therapies	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Health and social care	Tech Level
6006481X	City & Guilds Level 3 Principal Learning in Construction and the Built Environment	City and Guilds of London Institute	Level 3	Building and construction	Tech Level
6006612X	RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma For Music Practitioners	Rock School Ltd	Level 3	Performing arts	Tech Level
6010501X	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Business management	Applied General
6010563X	Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Animal Management (QCF)	Pearson Education Ltd	Level 3	Animal care and veterinary science	Tech Level
6013138X	VTCT Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Studies	VTCT	Level 3	Sport, leisure and recreation	Applied General

The government must “urgently address the damage that has been done” to FE by raising the 16 to 18 base rate as part of a multi-billion cash injection and produce a ten-year education funding plan, influential MPs have said.

A report by the parliamentary education committee into school and college funding has been released today following a number of hearings.

It describes a “troubling picture” whereby participation in full time further education has more than doubled since the 1980s, yet across 16 to 19 education, funding per student has fallen by 16 per cent in real terms since 2010.

The continued underfunding of this pivotal stage in education is no longer justifiable

During the inquiry, schools minister Nick Gibbs said the government “understood the challenges colleges were facing”, and was doing its “best in the context of a difficult financial situation following the 2008 financial crisis”.

The base rate funding per 16 to 18-year-old students has been stuck at £4,000 per year for the last five years. The committee heard this has led to numerous colleges being unable to increase staff pay, reducing their curriculum offer and other services such as mental health support.

The education committee has now backed the Sixth Form Colleges Association’s Raise the Rate campaign and said the government needs to increase the base rate to “at least £4,760”, which would amount to around £970 million per year, and rise in line with inflation.

“Post-16 education has been cut to the core,” today’s report said.

“We note the minister’s position about post-financial crash difficulties. Other sectors have however moved on. The continued underfunding of this pivotal stage in education is longer justifiable.

“These budget pressures are the result of political decisions that have had enormous impacts on young people’s educational opportunities and undermined attempts to tackle social justice. The department must act urgently to address the damage that has been done.”

The committee has also called for a ten-year plan for education funding – similar to the NHS’ Longer Term Plan – which it says is “essential”.

This way of planning would provide schools, colleges and the DfE with “much needed strategic direction and financial certainty,” the report said.

“We suggest the funding model should involve a multi-billion pound settlement from Treasury, informed by a bottom-up assessment of the cost of delivering a quality education for all children and young people.”

It continued: “The department needs to be transparent about how much money is needed for the education system.

“It must conduct and publish a comprehensive, bottom-up assessment of what services and support schools and colleges are having to provide, the real-world costs of delivering these activities and meeting attainment expectations, and how these costs relate to current school and college funding provision.”

Other recommendations made by the committee for FE include extending the schools Pupil Premium to support disadvantaged 16 to 19 year olds.

“We appreciate that there are some disadvantage funding pots available, but these are too small and spread too thinly,” the report said.

“Disadvantaged 16 to 19 year olds are not less deserving of support than under-16s. They should not be treated as a lesser priority.”

Post-16 education has been cut to the core

James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, said today’s report is a “wake-up call to government – ministers must plan for the long term, stop neglecting sixth form education and prioritise an increase in the funding rate”.

Julian Gravatt, deputy chief executive of the Association of Colleges said failing to act on the committee’s recommendations “risks phenomenal damage to our country”. 

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We have protected the base rate of funding for 16 to 19 year olds until 2020 and are providing additional funding for the delivery of the new gold standard T-levels, rising to an additional £500 million every year once they are fully rolled out.

“We are glad to see that school and further education funding is being highlighted as an important issue ahead of the next spending review, where the education secretary will back the sector to have the resources they need to deliver world-class standards across the board.”

She added that the DfE welcomes this “detailed and considered report” and will respond in full in “due course”.

Five early monitoring reports for independent providers returned ‘insufficient’ ratings this week, with Ofsted finding some have not recruited with “integrity” and another had learners unaware they’re on an apprenticeship.

It was also bad news for a local authority which was downgraded to ‘inadequate’. There was, however, promising results for colleges.

The grade four came in for Stoke-on-Trent Unitary Authority, which has over 2,000 students.

The majority of adult learners and students aged 16 to 19 “do not make strong progress from their starting points” and “too few adult learners successfully move on into the next stage of their education, training, or employment when they complete their programmes”.

The local authority was however praised for its apprenticeship delivery, which was judged as ‘good’.

Elsewhere, Apprentice Assessments Ltd was hit with two ‘insufficient progress’ ratings in its first monitoring visit since it started offering its own apprenticeships in August 2017. It had 90 apprentices at the time of Ofsted’s visit.

Inspectors found that managers have “not ensured that apprenticeship provision was meeting the requirements of the funding body and the principles of apprenticeships”.

In February 2019, two senior managers resigned from their posts at AAL and a new managing director was appointed in April. They have since made “substantial investment” in resources to improve training.

Another new apprenticeship provider found making ‘insufficient progress’ this week was Ashley Hunter Ltd. It started delivering its own apprenticeships in January 2018 but before that it delivered them as a subcontractor.

It has nearly 150 apprentices on its books for the care sector, but inspectors found leaders and managers “do not ensure that apprenticeship programmes are planned appropriately to meet the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship”.

Leaders and managers have, however, “very recently” introduced additional checks, systems and processes to “rectify identified weaknesses in the quality of education and training”.

Fresh Training Services (UK) Ltd came in for heavy criticism in its first monitoring visit, which found the independent provider making ‘insufficient progress’ in two areas judged.

It has 25 apprentices, but Ofsted said leaders and manager do not recruit them with “integrity”.

“They do not ensure that prospective apprentices are employed appropriately to enable them to complete an apprenticeship,” inspectors continued.

Merseyside Accredited Community Training and Assessment Centre also received two ‘insufficient progress’ ratings in its first monitoring report.

Leaders and managers “do not have a coherent curriculum plan” for its 70 adult learners, Ofsted said, and students “do not receive sufficient information, advice and guidance before they enrol on a course”.

Prospect Training (Yorkshire) Limited was also slammed by the inspectorate, this time for not making learners and their employers aware they’re actually on an apprenticeship programme.

A better performing private provider this week was All Trades Training Limited, which improved from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’.

Leaders, managers and learning coaches work “highly effectively” with employers to provide good-quality learning for its 69 apprentices.

Tendring District Council (Career Track) also did well and was found making ‘significant progress’ in two areas of its first monitoring visit.

Leaders and managers make “very good use of their experience and knowledge” to design “highly effective training programmes which effectively meet apprentices’ individual needs”.

Carole Plummer also received two ‘significant progress’ ratings. Ofsted said highly qualified and experienced staff provide a “rich variety of training to ensure that almost all apprentices gain considerable new knowledge, skills and behaviours that tangibly add value to their employer’s business”.

Four private providers – Blue Apple Training Ltd, Culture, Learning And Libraries (Midlands), Poplar Housing And Regeneration Community Association Limited and Marson Garages (Wolstanton) Limited – as well as one NHS trust – Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust – were found making ‘reasonable progress’ across the board in their first ever monitoring visits.

Marson Garages (Wolstanton) Limited was found making ‘reasonable progress’ across the board in its first monitoring visit since being rated ‘requires improvement’ in October 2018.

The Real Apprenticeship Company Limited scored its second grade three in a row.

It was better news for Morley College, which trains over 11,000 learners. It retained its ‘good’ rating, and scored ‘outstanding’ for personal development, behaviour and welfare.

“Governors, leaders and managers have high aspirations to meet the needs of adult students in the local area and across London,” Ofsted found.

There was also cause for celebration at New City College, which has over 13,000 students.

It was formed by a merger of four predecessor colleges: Tower Hamlets College merged with Hackney Community College in August 2016, Redbridge College joined the group in April 2017, and Epping Forest College was the last to join in August 2018.

Ofsted found the mega-college is making ‘reasonable progress’ in two fields judged in a monitoring visit – for apprenticeships and other areas of teaching – but ‘significant progress’ in governance.

Stella Mann College, a private college that trains students for employment in the musical theatre and dance industries, was also celebrating after Ofsted upped its grade from three to two.

Students “effectively develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to work successfully in the performing arts industry” and they “benefit from working with a wide range of industry specialists, guest teachers and advisers who bring and share a wealth of experience”.

GFE Colleges	Inspected	Published	Grade	Previous grade
Morley College	18/06/2019	15/07/2019	2	2
New City College Corporation	27/06/2019	17/07/2019	M	N/A

 

Independent Learning Providers	Inspected	Published	Grade	Previous grade
Ashley Hunter Ltd	13/06/2019	15/07/2019	M	N/A
Blue Apple Training Ltd	19/06/2019	17/07/2019	M	N/A
Apprentice Assessments Limited	14/05/2019	17/07/2019	M	N/A
Culture, Learning And Libraries (Midlands)	20/06/2019	18/07/2019	M	N/A
Fresh Training Services (Uk) Limited	12/06/2019	18/07/2019	M	N/A
MACTAC	18/06/2019	18/07/2019	M	N/A
Poplar Housing And Regeneration Community Association Limited	27/06/2019	18/07/2019	M	N/A
Prospect Training (Yorkshire) Limited	05/06/2019	18/07/2019	M	N/A
Tendring District Council (Career Track)	26/06/2019	18/07/2019	M	N/A
All Trades Training Limited	04/06/2019	19/07/2019	2	3
Carole Plummer	13/06/2019	19/07/2019	M	N/A
Marson Garages (Wolstanton) Limited	27/06/2019	19/07/2019	M	3
Riverside Training (Spalding) Ltd	22/06/2019	19/07/2019	M	N/A
The Real Apprenticeship Company Limited	18/06/2019	19/07/2019	3	3

 

Adult and Community Learning	Inspected	Published	Grade	Previous grade
STOKE-ON-TRENT UNITARY AUTHORITY	11/06/2019	15/07/2019	4	3

 

Other (including UTCs)	Inspected	Published	Grade	Previous grade
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust	19/06/2019	18/07/2019	M	N/A
Stella Mann College	20/06/2019	18/07/2019	2	3

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has today published its annual accounts for 2018/19.

This is only the second year of the institute’s existence and the report comes shortly after it took on responsibility for T-levels.

Here are six things we learned from the accounts.

1. Staff headcount has increased to nearly 150

The number of full-time staff at IfATE has risen to 146, from 89 in 2017/18; an increase of 64 per cent.

The majority of this increase came from recruiting 34 staff members to work on T-levels, which IfATE took over in January and which are expected to be introduced next year.

2. Sir Gerry received a bonus of up to £15,000

The institute’s chief executive Sir Gerry Berragan was unsurprisingly the highest-paid employee, receiving between £140,000 and £145,000 as a salary. He also received a bonus of between £10,000 and £15,000.

The reason for having a range for the figures is that bonuses are reported in £5,000 brackets, so a more accurate total is not possible.

The accounts do not show any other employees received a bonus.

Berragan is due to be replaced in November once his two-year contract expires, with the ESFA’s director of professional and technical education Jennifer Coupland.

Several board members received fees of between £10,000 and £15,000; though not the chair, Antony Jenkins, who volunteered for his remuneration to be reduced to a maximum of £5,000, from the £5,000 to £10,000 range it was in in 2017/18.

3. £152,000 was paid out in exit packages

A total of two exit packages, both in the range of £50,000 to £100,000, were handed out by the institute in 2018/19.

The total amount spent on such packages was £152,000 – none of which was spent following compulsory redundancies.

4. IfATE exceeded their own target for signing off standards

IfATE approved 424 apprenticeship standards in 2018/19, besting their target of 400 – whereas in April 2018, only 257 it had signed off on.

Berragan attributed this increase in the number of standards to its “Faster and Better” approach.

5. Most of the appeals to IfATE were about funding bands

One of the most controversial undertakings of IfATE has been the funding band reviews – investigations to determine the most appropriate cost of delivering an apprenticeship standard, two waves of which have been ordered by skills minister Anne Milton.

Employers and providers have been outraged when these reviews have led to cuts in funding for particular standards, such as the level 6 chartered manager standard.

So much so, the IfATE promised a review of their impact in May.

According to the report, IfATE received a total of 37 appeals in 2018/19 – 35 of which were about funding band recommendations.

Only 10 of these appeals were upheld, the remaining 25 were either rejected or deemed “not in scope”.

The other two appeals were about the development of the standards, neither of which were upheld.

6. Quality of apprenticeships and T-levels is ‘at risk’

According to IfATE’s performance analysis, there is “some risk to the delivery” of apprenticeship and T-level quality.

This is because the institute aimed to have external quality assurance for all standards with active apprentices, and although the report says “good progress” has been made towards this goal, nearly ten per cent of apprentices who started in the last 12 months do not have EQA providers in place.

Three per cent have a provider in principle and Open Awards has been contracted to provide EQA for all standards where no provider has been assigned.

IfATE has “developed robust contractual requirements for the T-level awarding organisations that we procure”, but agreement on a quality assurance framework for the new qualification is “ongoing”.

Both programmes have been given amber ratings for quality.

An ‘inadequate’ university technical college is to close just four years after opening as it is “no longer financially viable” following a huge drop in student numbers.

South Wiltshire UTC will become the eleventh provider of its type to close since the programme launched in 2010.

Like many of the other failed institutions, it has struggled to recruit students and had just 214 on roll against a capacity of 600 when Ofsted visited last year and gave it a grade four.

However, following this damning report, the 14-to-19 college saw its learner numbers almost halve. It currently only has 121 on roll, according to government data.

A statement by the UTC said its board of governors with the Department for Education, have had “no option but to take the difficult decision in principle” to close in August 2020.

“At what is an extremely difficult time for our staff, students and prospective students, our focus will now be on ensuring the students remaining with us in years 11 and 13 successfully complete their planned two year courses,” it continued.

“All students due to enrol and start with the school in September 2019 have been informed of the decision. We will support pupils that had applied to join the UTC in September 2019 to find alternative places.”

Principal Joe Mulligan said: “We will work hard to ensure that the students who will remain at the UTC in 2019/2020 will receive the best possible education and will provide a rich curriculum around our specialism, including continuing to work with our employer and university partners.

“We have always strived to provide the best possible education for our learners and I would like to thank all who have been part of the South Wiltshire UTC community, for all their support over the years.”

Doug Gale, chair of South Wiltshire UTC Trust, said: “Closing South Wiltshire UTC is incredibly disappointing for all who have worked hard to give students a technical education option within Salisbury and the surrounding area.”

A four-week listening period is now open for interested parties to provide views on the closure process. Comments should be submitted to: views@wiltshire-utc.co.uk.

A private provider has been slammed by Ofsted after it found learners and their employers unaware they were taking part in an apprenticeship programme.

The report from an early monitoring visit of Prospect Training (Yorkshire), which has 112 apprentices, found: “Too many apprentices are not aware that they are on an apprenticeship, and often their employers do not know.”

A Prospect spokesperson said the provider “accepts” this finding and is “working to address it”. However, they claimed apprentices “did know they were on a learning programme and who with”, but referred to the “programme title in a sector context rather than using the term ‘apprenticeship’”.

Prospect’s leaders and managers were, inspectors said, also not ensuring its 25 adult learners achieve their qualifications, with too few learners achieving within the planned timescale: learners who were due to complete as much as nine months ago have not done so.

But more worryingly, learners on spectator safety courses, as most of the adults are, “incorrectly believe they have achieved their qualification and they can now apply for jobs”.

After FE Week pressed them for more detail about this, Ofsted said Prospect’s learners had “not been given certificates as they had not completed their course, despite being told otherwise by their tutor”.

Prospect’s said learners undertaking the spectator safety programme of study did confirm to inspectors they had gained new knowledge from attending this programme.

“They had completed their programme of study,” the spokesperson said, “however, we were awaiting a statement from their employer to confirm their competence at managed events”.

Ofsted graded Prospect as having made ‘insufficient progress’ in adult learning. The provider held procured AEB contracts with the ESFA worth almost £200,000 in 2018/19.

And as at September 2018, Prospect’s was a subcontractor for five prime providers with AEB contracts totalling over £1.2 million.

Its apprenticeship provision, both in terms of whether it is meeting all the requirements of successful apprenticeship provision and ensuring apprentices benefit from high-quality training, was also found to be ‘insufficient’.

It boasts on the government’s Find Apprenticeship Training site of working “in partnership with ESFA, colleges and providers to offer apprenticeships”, yet inspectors discovered apprentices, coaches and employers have a poor understanding of off-the-job training requirements, and those who work in care homes have been counting their handover at the end of a shift as off-the-job training.

The Prospect’s spokesperson said they accepted Ofsted’s findings about both its spectator safety course and its apprenticeships, and were working to address them.

The provider made ‘insufficient progress’ in three out of four areas of the monitoring visit, and ‘reasonable progress’ for safeguarding.

Under Education and Skills Funding Agency rules, any provider with an ‘insufficient’ rating in an early monitoring visit Ofsted report will be banned from taking on any new apprentices until the grade improves.

Ofsted missed its inspection target for FE providers by 11 per cent this year – the biggest miss out of all education sectors.

The education watchdog’s corporate annual reports and accounts for 2018/19, published today, shows that it had aimed to carry out 323 inspections in further education but ended up conducting 287.

This is in stark contrast to Ofsted’s performance in 2017/18, when it carried out 485 FE inspections, which was 101 per cent of its target.

Elsewhere, Ofsted achieved 103 per cent of its target inspections for schools this year, 114 per cent for early years, and 114 per cent for “other inspections” such as local authorities.

The new accounts state that providers “opening, merging or closing subsequently can change the number [of inspections] delivered and internal targets are not adjusted for these changes”.

When asked to explain this further, a spokesperson for Ofsted said: “Targets are not set for demand-led activity and we reprioritised resources away from low-risk inspections to complete more demand-led monitoring visits to new apprenticeship providers.”

The watchdog’s falling budget might go some way to explaining its inspection target miss for FE.

Its core funding has decreased from £185 million in 2010–11 to £125 million in 2019–20, which represents a 32 per cent reduction.

Meanwhile, Ofsted’s gross budget, which includes income, has reduced from £201 million in 2010–11 to £150 million in 2019–20 – a net reduction of 25 per cent.

Perhaps owing to the falling budget, chief inspector Amanda Spielman did not receive a bonus for the second year in a row.

The largest bonus payments went to chief operating officer Matthew Coffey and Ofsted’s national director for education Sean Harford, who both received between £15,000 and £20,000 each on top of their salaries.

Eight senior staff got bonuses this year totalling between £70,000 to £110,000, compared to five members last year who picked up a total of between £45,000 to £70,000.

Ofsted has previously come under fire for handing out bonuses – as it has regularly pointed out its funding has been slashed by 30 per cent since 2010. But the watchdog underspent by £1.7 million against its core funding of £130.3 million this year.

The principal of a collapsed college was referred to the police after his assistant principal wife benefited from a sweetheart deal involving pay rises of over a fifth and a £240,000 severance package between them.

That is according to an ESFA report into Bournville College, which dissolved into South & City College in August 2017, despite Bournville receiving a £26.5 million bailout from the agency.

According to the report, based upon an original KPMG report, Anjum Cave, the assistant principal of the college, was promoted to the executive leadership team in 2014, with a 22 per cent pay increase but no change in responsibilities and no explanation for the raise.

Yet no disclosure was made in the minutes of the corporation meeting which approved this that Cave was the wife of principal Norman Cave, who served in that position from 2002 to 2014.

The principal was suspended in November of that year, before retiring with a £190,000 severance package, according to college accounts.

An FE Week report from 2014, following an intervention by then-FE Commissioner David Collins at Bournville, was published while Norman Cave was “on leave” from the college since the commissioner’s visit

Anjum Cave left the college in 2015 and was handed a £50k severance package, despite having only been appointed to the senior leadership team in the same financial year.

Her husband has later referred to West Midlands Police by the Skills Funding Agency, after they received the KPMG report in December 2016.

West Midlands Police decided against pursuing criminal prosecution – they have been contacted for comment.

The college also held an opening event when they moved onto their new campus in October 2011, costing £132,000; yet KPMG could find no evidence the event budget had been approved, or that invoices were reported to the corporation or any committee.

This, the ESFA said, “constitutes a significant breach of the college’s financial regulations”.

As was a centenary celebration held in October 2013, which cost just short of £150,000 despite a £90,000 budget, and for which there was also no evidence the budget or invoices were reported or approved by governors.

ESFA chief executive Eileen Milner has written to the chairs of governors at sixth form and general FE colleges following the report, saying: “The activities that took place during the period covered by the investigation clearly fell significantly short of the expectations for college governance and oversight of expenditure.”

The lengthy investigation report also included a long catalogue of financial irregularities, including credit card expenses in excess of £100,000 and the procurement of large contracts with no formal tender process.

According to the ESFA, the investigation has taken so long to see the light of day because the ESFA was waiting to see if authorities such as West Midlands Police and the Charity Commission would be taking any action.

The agency is undertaking a review of how it shares information with other agencies to see if publication can be sped up.

Norman and Anjum Cave has since set up an education consultancy business called Marque Associates – and FE Week has contacted them for comment.