Opinion

I’ve seen cancel culture first hand in FE

There is an intolerance in the sector for people with views contrary to the prevailing ideology, writes Tom Bewick…

Jess Staufenberg
Tom Bewick
The Staffroom – opinion

Are you tackling cultural poverty among students?

Ofsted is inspecting for ‘cultural capital’, but limited experience of the world is still holding learners back, writes Josh…

Jess Staufenberg
Josh Spears
Opinion

Are you lonesome tonight? Check how your colleagues and students are feeling

Social, emotional and existential loneliness may be affecting more of your colleagues and learners than you realise, writes Stuart…

Jess Staufenberg
Stuart Rimmer
Opinion

DfE – go through employers to promote the lifelong loan

The lifelong loan entitlement won’t drive behaviour change unless the public know about it, write Ed Reza Schwitzer and…

Jess Staufenberg
Ed Reza Schwitzer and Patrick Thomson
Skills reform, T Levels

T Levels will make the qualifications system less confusing

But other qualifications, including BTECs, will continue to play an important role alongside T Levels and A levels, writes…

Jess Staufenberg
Alex Burghart
Opinion

The DfE sees SEND learners as an economic problem to solve 

The green paper offers scant support for older learners and has a narrow focus on employment outcomes, writes David…

Jess Staufenberg
David Ellis


The Staffroom – opinion

Leaving the Army and joining a training provider was a culture shock 

Many service leavers lack confidence in their skills when they exit the armed forces. Providers and employers must step…

Jess Staufenberg
Alex Firmin
Opinion

As students, all we want is a seat at the table 

Young people are experts about young people, and their voices should stop being ignored, writes Lois Rance  Have you…

Jess Staufenberg
Lois Rance
Opinion

A plea to independent training providers – make your voices heard 

Some ITPs may have small or no marketing departments, but many are very keen to get learner and staff…

Jess Staufenberg
Nicki Hay
Wellbeing

Fit your own mental health oxygen mask before fitting others

If we want our staff to support students, we must prioritise their wellbeing, writes Asfa Sohail Even though life…

Jess Staufenberg
Asfa Sohail
Opinion

The level 2 qualifications review is deafeningly silent on key problems

The review seems unaware of the sell-by dates of its proposals – and that’s only the beginning, writes Gordon…

Jess Staufenberg
Gordon Marsden
The Staffroom – opinion

How to do lesson observations that don’t scare everyone

Employers keeping score stops lesson observations from being a real development opportunity, writes Neil Jones Lesson observation at our…

Jess Staufenberg
Neil Jones