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‘ofsted’

Festive wishes and New Year hopes

What a year it has been for FE and skills. Over the past 12 months we’ve had a General Election and seen the announcement of a 3m apprenticeships starts target by 2020, among plenty of other goings on. But with Christmas being a time to spend with loved ones and to enjoy festivities, some familiar […]

News

Mixed reaction to lifting of traineeship restriction

The removal of rules allowing only providers rated outstanding or good by Ofsted to get lead contracts for traineeships from next academic year has received a mixed response from the sector. Grade three (‘requires improvement’) and non-inspected providers can also deliver the programme, but only as subcontractors. However, the government revealed on Monday (December 7), in […]

News

Maths GCSE and the ‘sad case’ of ‘ministerially-driven curriculum change’

The strain of getting vocational learners over the GCSE English and maths finish line is behind much strain in the FE and skills sector, as recognised not least in Ofsted’s annual report. But behind the policy is a view of GCSEs and the workplace that needs rethinking says Mark Flinn. Last month, FE Week stated […]

Opinion

Traineeships should be delivered by ‘high quality and proven’ providers

The Ofsted annual report criticised Traineeships for a lack of success with helping young people progress to apprenticeships or employment. But Angela Middleton explains why she still thinks they have a lot to offer, so long as they are delivered by the right providers. Ofsted chief inspector Michael Wilshaw has recently identified a problem with […]

Opinion

The FE and skills panto

Apprenticeships reforms are rapidly metamorphosing into pantomime. When the ugly sisters Hancock and Richard undertook their review, they ruled out ‘evidence’ from awarding organisers and independent learning providers (ILPs) as ‘biased from vested interests’. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) recently published the results of an independent Process Evaluation of Apprenticeship Trailblazers by […]

Uncategorized

Barnfield becoming talk of the sector — for the right reasons

Two visits from FE Commissioner Dr David Collins triggered first by financial problems and secondly by an Ofsted inadequate rating was the scene into which Tim Eyton-Jones stepped in February. Dr Collins has since drawn a line under his involvement and inspectors have also seen improvements. Mr Eyton-Jones spells out what’s been happening at Barnfield. […]

Opinion

Wilshaw calls on employers to ‘take ownership’ of localised apprenticeships recruitment challenge

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has called on employer groups to “take ownership” over localised apprenticeship recruitment as the Government pushes to create 3m apprenticeship starts by 2020. He spoke of his support for the apprenticeship levy and said that a clearer structure for delivering apprenticeships at a local level was needed, in a speech […]

News

New interim principal to take charge at troubled City College Coventry in New Year

A new interim principal will take the reins at troubled City College Coventry early next month. Dr Elaine McMahon (pictured above) will start in the role at the 5,944-learner college on January 4. She will take over from current principal Steve Logan, who has spent just 18 months in the post. The change is set […]

News

Providers hit back at Saudi claims

Providers have hit back at claims that establishing new learner ventures in Saudi Arabia as part of the Colleges of Excellence (CoE) scheme might lead to “bankruptcy”. It was reported last week in Education Investor and by FE Week that bosses of the scheme were struggling to get the number of learners they expected after […]

News