Skinners’ Academies Trust
‘ofsted’
A principal who lodged a formal complaint with Ofsted after the education watchdog branded his college inadequate has stepped down, along with his deputy. West Cheshire College told FE Week today that Nigel Davies and his former deputy principal Adrian Humphreys had left. The statement said the pair had both moved on “in order to […]
News
Joe Baldwin points out failings with new arrangements for SEND learners. While the Children and Families Act and the SEND code of practice both came into force in September 2014, the full impact for FE was not truly realised until September 2015. This was when the first cohort of learners with education health and care […]
Opinion
Clare Howard explains the best way to get those with learning disabilities into work. The Government’s manifesto pledge to create 3m apprentices has pushed them to the top of the national skills agenda. This focus has encouraged the expansion of apprenticeship programmes, but this still doesn’t mean access for all. If you are a young […]
Four more mergers involving seven FE colleges and one sixth form college (SFC) have been proposed this week. Three of these link-ups are the result of the Tees Valley area review, which on May 13 became only the second area review to conclude. Meanwhile, three colleges in south-east London have confirmed that previously announced plans […]
A sixth form college (SFC) in West Yorkshire has become the first of its kind to be rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted since the introduction of the common inspection framework (CIF) in September. Huddersfield New College received grade ones across the board from the education watchdog, in a report published today which also found the 2,400-learner […]
The FE Commissioner has endorsed a three-way merger plan between colleges in the Midlands, even though concern is rising in the sector that too many providers are being rushed into joining forces. Dr David Collins’ new report on City College Coventry has concluded that there appeared “to be no insuperable barriers to progress” its plans […]
Prison governors are set to be given direct power to hire providers for offender education — following publication today of the results of an influential review. Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) contracts, held at present by three colleges and one independent learning provider, are currently given out by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). But […]
On the third Monday of every month Dr Sue, Holex director of policy and external relations, answers your questions, backed by the experience of almost a decade as principal of Canterbury College, in addition to time served in senior civil service posts at central government departments covering education and skills. QUESTION: 1 Ofsted’s role in […]
The first ever standalone university technical college (UTC) to be hit with a financial improvement notice must draw up a recovery plan and explain how it will increase student numbers. The notice to Daventry UTC was sent to trust chair Professor Nick Petford on April 14, but was only officially published by the Education Funding […]
