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‘ofsted’

Exams regulator finds colleges put learners’ needs before funding in ‘first time’ research

Learners are “at the heart” of schools’, colleges’ and training providers’ decisions about the qualifications they offer, according to new research by Ofqual. The finding comes just weeks after Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman reiterated her concern that some colleges fill their rolls with “superficially attractive” low-level arts and media courses simply to “attract funding”. […]

News

FE commissioner annual report: Colleges entering formal intervention rises by two-thirds

The number of colleges entering formal intervention rose by two-thirds on the previous year, mostly due to historical “weak decision-making,” according to the FE Commissioner’s 2018/19 annual report. In total, 13 colleges entered intervention – 12 for financial reasons and one which escalated from diagnostic assessment – five more than the previous year. None were […]

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At Ofsted we find little evidence apprentices are actually moving up the levels

The inspectorate for the quality of apprenticeships is concerned young people “aiming to step onto the career ladder are discovering that the vital bottom rungs simply do not exist”, explains Ofsted’s deputy director for further education and skills, Paul Joyce The snap general election called late last year resulted in a delayed publication of our […]

Opinion

ESFA launches subcontracting consultation

Views are being sought by the Education and Skills Funding Agency on proposed changes to their subcontracting rules – as officials bid to cap deals and “eliminate” poor arrangements. A consultation went live today and responses to 10 recommendations will need to be submitted by 17 March. One key proposal is to strengthen controls on […]

News

Government to consult on subcontracting limits

The government is set to launch its consultation on a radical overhaul of subcontracting rules this week – and it is expected to include a proposal to limit out-of-area deals. Eileen Milner, the chief executive of the Education and Skills Funding Agency, sent a sector-wide letter in October warning of rule changes and that she […]

News

NCG deficit hits £11m after axing pair of ‘poor-quality’ training providers

One of England’s largest college groups spent close to £4 million on ‘Project Apple’ to shut two training arms which contributed to an £11 million deficit last year. The shortfall at NCG isn’t the group’s only financial concern: it is also expecting the Education and Skills Funding Agency to recoup funding that goes back “a […]

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Halfon: FE must recognise ‘step forward’ in funding even if it’s not a ‘giant leap’

The FE sector needs to recognise that government has “made a step forward, even if it may not be a giant leap” when it comes to funding, the re-elected chair of the education committee has said. Robert Halfon also believes the apprenticeship levy is in need of reform, but he does not agree with the […]

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To be critical of colleges for running the courses learners want is bizarre

Blaming colleges for simply recruiting students to course subjects they want to study is weird and not the solution to the problem of matching skills to the economy, says Adrian Perry After years of cuts, FE is getting mentioned in government education briefings and House of Commons debates. This is good news, but it brings […]

Opinion

Ofsted watch: Major energy company among swathe of ‘good’ results

A major energy firm was among six training providers to be rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in a positive week for the sector. SSE Services PLC, the national utility company which providers energy to nine million households, kept its ‘good’ rating following a short inspection. The employer provider has just over 150 apprentices who “benefit from […]

News