SEND

Collaboration was our way of solving a local SEND crisis

Organisations have their own targets to hit, but pooling resources between our LA and trust boosted delivery

Jessica Hill
Abrilli Phillip and Dr Sam Parrett CBE
Colleges Week

Let’s build a brighter future for adults this Colleges Week

As Colleges Week 2025 unfolds, let’s spotlight the often overlooked yet vital role adult education plays in achieving many…

Jessica Hill
Dipa Ganguli OBE
Students

Students need protection from the wealth of misinformation

The popularity of social media ‘finfluencers’ with dubious credentials should be tackled head-on by colleges

Jessica Hill
Sarah Porretta
GCSE resits, The Staffroom – opinion

Maths resitters aim for bullseye on darts day

Numbers have been brought alive at Nescot with classroom dart boards and a visit by three Darts stars –…

Jessica Hill
Julie Kapsalis
Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship reforms mirror Scotland – and that’s good

England’s scrapping of mandatory functional skills for adults and a reduction in apprenticeship length where necessary shows a pragmatism…

Jessica Hill
Stuart McKenna
Apprenticeships

New apprenticeships will boost flow of plumbers

We’ve consulted with industry to develop apprenticeships that will help solve plumbing skills crisis

Jessica Hill
Kevin Wellman


Colleges

Research on EMA support has defied common sense

My EMA initiative helped disadvantaged students stay in education and was widely praised—until recent research questioned its long-term impact….

Jessica Hill
David Blunkett
Apprenticeships

Let’s shift perceptions on built environment apprenticeships

Our apprenticeships are bridging skills gaps in construction, but we need stronger industry collaboration and better mentorship in our…

Jessica Hill
Lorraine Fursland
Functional skills

Do we really need functional skills anyway?

In truth, the value of numeracy and literacy has fallen now that you can learn practical skills from online…

Jessica Hill
Tim Leunig
AI

With the right opportunities we can become AI makers, not takers 

The world is moving to an era of AI automation, but this makes demand for uniquely human skills even…

Jessica Hill
Michael Webb
Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships help solve housing sector brain drain

Exodus of skilled professionals is threatening the housing sector’s future. Apprenticeships offer a solution

Jessica Hill
Sara Roberts
Apprenticeships

Put apprentices centre stage to sustain our cultural sector

The National Theatre’s apprenticeship training programme means vacancies are filled and young people get the break they need to…

Jessica Hill
Simon Stephens