Opinion

Why we should aspire to China’s approach to skills

As he prepares for the long road to WorldSkills 2021 in Shanghai, Dr Neil Bentley is ever more convinced…

Neil Bentley-Gockmann
Neil Bentley-Gockmann
Opinion

Technical education doesn’t need a review!

The prime minister is talking up technical education, but doesn’t have the goods to back up her words, according…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Is Ofsted measuring the wrong things in FE?

The government needs to establish a set of FE-centric measures to get a better idea of what it wants…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Qualifications in apprenticeship standards: IfA rule changes aren’t enough

The sector cheered when the IfA said it would allow qualifications in standards once again, but not all is…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Whistleblowers in FE are vital for sector scrutiny

Whistleblowers aren’t treated with much respect in the UK, even though they generally have good intentions. Dame Ruth Silver…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Let’s maintain the upward Ofsted trend for colleges!

Our analysis of colleges’ Ofsted grades suggests a significant improvement in the past five months. By the end of…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


Opinion

Non-levy apprenticeship funding process was as fair as possible

Every month, Anne Milton, the minister in charge of skills and apprenticeships, will write a column for FE Week,…

Anne Milton
Anne Milton
Opinion

Don’t judge colleges on Progress 8!

The government’s wrong-headed performance measures do not work for 14-to-16 provision, and cannot give vocational learning the credit it…

Sam Parrett
Sam Parrett
Opinion

Invest in Ofsted to guarantee apprenticeship quality

This week the number of providers and employers able to directly tap into an annual £2.5 billion apprenticeship pot…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
Opinion

T-level occupational maps must be flexible

Unless there’s the space for young people to transfer the skills they learn onto another route, we risk locking…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor
Opinion

Do new college principals really need sector experience?

Dr Sue Pember, director of policy and external relations at Holex, answers your questions on college governance, backed by…

Sue Pember
Sue Pember
Opinion

What does Ofsted consider a good college curriculum?

Amanda Spielman cited Harlow College as having particularly good curriculum design at the AoC conference in the autumn –…

Expert Contributor
Expert Contributor