Opinion

National Achievement Rate Tables are not a reliable quality indicator

Government should expect quality from the skills programmes it funds, but the National Achievement Rate Tables are not the…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Government banning major levy provider will send a strong message to the sector

The ESFA should be applauded for taking swift and tough action against Talent Training. I expect this story and…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Opinion

FE deserves a seat at the Brexit table

We still don’t know what Brexit will look like, but as FE has so much skin in the game,…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Opinion

Small sixth forms are no longer viable

The highest standards can be found at large, specialist sixth-form centres, claims Bill Watkin This year has been an…

Bill Watkin
Bill Watkin
Opinion

New children and families minister must continue to implement SEND reforms

With Edward Timpson a shock casualty of the election, we can’t let his SEND overhaul drop off the agenda,…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

DfE could be accused of cover-up over apprenticeship achievement rates

Forgive the facepalm, but after a drubbing in the general election for being evasive, I had hoped our questions…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


Opinion

Apprentice travel pledge doesn’t go far enough

Conservative manifesto pledge: Introduce significantly discounted bus and train travel for young apprentices Verity O’Keefe argues AGAINST The manifesto pledge…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Apprentice travel discount means politicians are listening

Conservative manifesto pledge: Introduce significantly discounted bus and train travel for young apprentices Frankie Linn argues FOR The Conservative…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Apprenticeship starts, not completions, are the correct target

Conservative manifesto pledge: Continue with the target of 3m apprenticeship starts by 2020 Mark Dawe argues FOR Fears over…

Mark Dawe
Mark Dawe
Opinion

3m apprenticeship starts target is bad policy

Conservative manifesto pledge: Continue with the target of 3m apprenticeship starts by 2020 Joe Dromey argues AGAINST The three…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

May’s ‘Strong and stable’ was nothing but a cheap slogan

May’s ‘strong and stable’ leadership was a cheap slogan – and her failures should be a warning to leaders…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Did Brexit REALLY make a difference to the election outcome?

The effect Brexit had on the results varies wildly from place to place and can’t be distilled into a…

Gemma Gathercole
Gemma Gathercole