Opinion

A colleges’ eye view of the Spending Review

A three-year funding cycle was one of the key proposals in the AoC’s submission on the Spending Review, explains…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

The Indy Scene: Edition 153

When high street jeweller Gerald Ratner famously rubbished one of his products a few years ago, his ill-judged comments…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

A parent’s experience of college enrolment

As a marketing expert, Ruth Sparkes found the job of helping her offspring find the right FE institution an…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Listening to community learning learners

Last month marked my first decade in FE. This time 10 years ago I’d just about finished my induction…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

‘There is a distinction to be made between the level of an apprenticeship and the quality of that apprenticeship’

Employers are the ultimate test of whether Sir Michael Wilshaw’s criticisms of apprenticeships were justified — and Pippa Morgan…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Ofsted apprenticeship report ‘tactics’ branded ‘damaging’

Stewart Segal hits back at Ofsted’s recent report that was critical of apprenticeships. After all the damaging headlines that…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


Opinion

Size matters in qualification reform

The challenges facing the FE and skills sector are not just being experienced by providers — awarding organisations (AOs)…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

The case against end-tests in apprenticeships

Judging an apprentice’s skill and knowledge through an end-point assessment is an approach fraught with issues, explains Simon Reddy….

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

‘End assessment is a big change in the system and employers are understandably nervous’

The prospect, not to mention the potential cost, of end assessments in Trailblazer apprenticeships has proven a cause for…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Do area reviews pose a threat or an opportunity?

Bob Harrison considers the role of technology in post-16 education area-based reviews. Why is everyone so twitchy now Skills…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Safeguarding at ‘heart’ of new common inspection framework

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued 22 improvement and prohibition notices to general FE colleges in the…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Wealthy universities must support struggling FE sector

Jonathan Simons, head of education at Policy Exchange, explains why a new report published by his think tank is…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter