Opinion

Technical training must match the best academic options

The new year will include the introduction of T-levels – which makes this an ideal time to celebrate the…

Anne Milton
ANNE MILTON
Opinion

The ESFA may regret rejecting the IfA’s levy budget concerns

As revealed by FE Week, the IfA has warned that there could be a £500m overspend on the £2bn…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
NICK LINFORD
Opinion

More new qualifications? Hold on – T-levels aren’t off the ground yet

T-levels are more than another alphabet soup qualification, says Gordon Marsden. But it’s the government’s job to make sure…

Expert Contributor
GORDON MARSDEN
Opinion

Governors should ask more questions about teaching and learning

Teaching and learning are at the core of any college, says Jill Westerman – which is why governors need…

Expert Contributor
JILL WESTERMAN
Opinion

Don’t play the blame game over the Baker clause

The lack of information about A-level alternatives will not be solved by cajoling schools into compliance, says Kevin Gilmartin….

Expert Contributor
KEVIN GILMARTIN
Opinion

The apprenticeship levy is public money that needs priorities – before it runs out

The Institute for Apprenticeships is forecasting a £500 million overspend on the levy budget by July 2019, rising to…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
NICK LINFORD


Opinion

FE colleges are the ‘national infrastructure’ for technical education

Education secretary Damian Hinds delivered a speech about ending “snobbery” over technical education to businesses this morning. He’s written…

Expert Contributor
DAMIAN HINDS
Opinion

Reform higher apprenticeships, but beware of unintended consequences

Let’s not lump all higher apprenticeships together – some are genuinely about re-training and progression, says Iain MacKinnon The government…

Expert Contributor
IAIN MACKINNON
Opinion

Ofsted understands the challenges for further education

From funding problems to T-levels and the apprenticeship levy, Ofsted seems to have a good handle on the main…

Expert Contributor
DAVID HUGHES
Opinion

Ofsted’s report shows community learning providers need more funding

The high quality of adult education provision highlighted in the inspectorate’s annual report is a strong argument for rebalancing…

Sue Pember
SUE PEMBER
Opinion

Ofsted figures reveal it is the new private providers letting the sector down

The drop in the percentage of training providers rate good by Ofsted is a direct consequence of the government’s…

Mark Dawe
MARK DAWE
Opinion

How DfE can better support colleges in crisis

As she leads her new institution to financial recovery, principal Karen Redhead reflects on what can help and hinder…

Expert Contributor
KAREN REDHEAD