York College
‘ofsted’
Former European Commission consultant Nick Juba is to become the new chief executive of cash-strapped City College Brighton and Hove. He takes over at the 6,000-learner college from interim chief executive Monica Box, who is also interim principal, on September 21. His appointment comes after FE Commissioner Dr David Collins was sent in with the […]
Movers and Shakers
A struggling sixth form college in Hampshire has announced plans to become part of a national crime prevention charity after being branded as “inadequate” by Ofsted. The governing board at Totton College has this morning announced that from November it will “join with” Nacro, a charity which uses skills and training to reduce crime and […]
News
Apprenticeship funding could be “more effectively spent” with independent learning providers which can provide evidence of additional demand from employers, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) will say today. The AELP will renew calls for a review of apprenticeship reforms and a simpler contracting system as it launches its annual conference in London. […]
An “area-based assessment” is being carried out by FE Commissioner Dr David Collins (pictured) into provision in South London’s Lewisham, Southwark and neighbouring boroughs. Skills Funding Agency (SFA) chief executive Peter Lauener revealed details of the review in a letter to corporation chair of Lewisham Southwark College Christopher Bilsland, sent in April but made public Wednesday […]
New regional scrutiny committees will consider complaints about Ofsted from September as the education watchdog acts to address transparency criticisms. The eight bodies, each made up of an Ofsted official not involved in inspections along with an “external” provider leader put forward by “appropriate national representative bodies”, will rule on internal reviews of complaints about […]
Hundreds of teachers and tutors are descending upon the grand setting of Berkshire’s Wellington College for two days of classroom-related talk, debate and fun. Among the day one speakers yesterday were university technical colleges boss and former Education Secretary Lord Baker and Gazelle chief executive Fintan Donohue. They took part in a number debates and panel sessions and are featured below, […]
Ofsted is ending its system of graded lesson observation. It’s a subject that leant itself to the theme a conference on June 17 at the University of Wolverhampton’s Centre for Research and Development in Lifelong Education (Cradle). Dr Lorna Page was there and outlines the event. The first national conference dedicated to the issue of […]
Opinion
The new common inspection framework handbooks have been published. Phil Hatton takes a closer look at what FE should be taking note of. So, with all the hype associated with the launch of the new CIF covering all Ofsted inspection remits, what will be the difference for FE? Looking at the wording that should guide inspector […]
Further Education Commissioner Dr David Collins has issued a 38-page guide to college mergers as he acknowledged “there is clearly not enough money for the sector to continue as it is”. In an accompanying letter to college chairs, principals and chief executives, he offered his view of the sector landscape as one in which “rationalisation and collaboration […]
