York College
‘ofsted’
A desperate principal has pleaded with the Skills Funding Agency to relax rules that would prevent Bolton College from recruiting new apprentices from May next year. On October 25 the SFA launched an application process for the new register of apprenticeship training providers, but those with the lowest Ofsted rating for the apprenticeships are barred […]
News
Ahead of David’s first three-day AoC annual conference as chief executive, we discuss the area reviews, our ministers and the need for positivity. “In a way, it being my first conference isn’t particularly important,” he tells me. “What’s more important is that we’ve got a new government and we’ve got a new secretary of state […]
The bosses of FE’s two biggest associations have traded verbal blows over the quality of apprenticeships that are delivered by private training providers. David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, has claimed that independent providers offer apprentices “not very much” training, mostly assessing them “on the job”. But his comments sparked a war […]
A firm commitment has been made by education secretary Justine Greening to “focus much more” on FE. She made the encouraging comments during a speech at an event in London today to celebrate the Education Endowment Foundation’s fifth anniversary. Ms Greening admitted that the government had “for a long time” focused mainly on improving academic […]
New grammar schools have been rejected by influential education select committee chair Neil Carmichael, who called instead for more investment in the “much neglected” FE sector. The Tory MP (pictured) said in a new blog for conservativehome.com it would be wrong of the government to lift the ban on these selective secondary schools, with the intention […]
A glowing ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report has been published today on independent training provider the Fashion Retail Academy. Inspectors returned grade one verdicts across the board, with managers and governors praised for establishing “a culture of excellence that results in very high achievement for learners”. The performance of the London-based provider was an improvement on the […]
Two colleges in south London have hit out at a new 16-19 free school that will offer only vocational courses and GCSE resits opening in their area. The Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form (HPS6F), a standalone free school in Croydon, will offer 170 places for professional skills courses, with another 60 places for students retaking […]
Your weekly guide to who’s new, and who’s leaving. Frank McLoughlin has been appointed associate director for leadership at the Education and Training Foundation. A registered charity, the ETF is a commissioning body serving the FE and training sector. Mr McLoughlin joins the organisation from his previous role as principal of City and Islington […]
Movers and Shakers
The Technical and Further Education Bill is a good start, but it needs to address structural problems that will hold us back in world trade, says Shane Chowen. In the wake of the vote to leave the EU, the economic aftershocks are beginning to be felt. Economists still forecast a rise in unemployment – albeit […]
Opinion
