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‘ofsted’

Redefine apprenticeships, says thinktank

Apprenticeships should be redefined as “intensive three-year training programmes” to help curb the 31 per cent A-levels drop-out rate, new research revealed. The Policy Exchange thinktank released a report with several recommendations and said there needed to be “a clear alternative route offering high quality technical or vocational provision”. It named apprenticeships as a “key […]

News

Time for governance to be recognised

“Being a college governor is a serious job that requires enormous commitment,” said FE minister Matthew Hancock at an event to thank college governors for their contribution to the sector. The reception, organised by the government and presided over by Mr Hancock, was held at Lancaster House and attended by more than 130 college governors […]

Uncategorized

A framework for Ofsted success

The fear an Ofsted inspection can strike into the hearts of principals is well-known in FE. But could that be changing under the new way of assessing colleges? Stuart Rimmer explains his experience of the revamped inspection framework and the improvements he sees within it. “They are coming” — it was a simple statement from […]

Opinion

Inspection ‘delight’

The principal of an FE provider said she led her centre to an outstanding Ofsted inspection result by focusing on teaching and learning. Maria Gilling, 52, principal at Walsall Adult and Community College (WACC) (pictured right), said she was “delighted and really proud” of her staff for achieving grade 1 — outstanding — in 23 […]

News

College gets £2.2m funding immunity

A failing London college was allowed to sidestep official funding rules to keep a £2.2m overpayment as it merged with a neighbouring college. Southwark College, which was graded inadequate following a December 2011 Ofsted inspection, merged with Lewisham College in a move welcomed as delivering “a stronger and more secure further education college”. The merger […]

News

Complaints body call for FE students

Students in the FE sector are trailing behind their higher education counterparts when it comes to the handling of complaints, explains NUS vice president for FE Toni Pearce. While universities who wrong their students could face a hearing with the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, FE students have no such recourse — and it’s time […]

Opinion

College’s work recognised with new title

A college in Hampshire is the only institution in the country to have its motor vehicle department named as a “showcase centre”. Fareham College was bestowed the title by ABC, the awarding body for a number of motor vehicle qualifications. ABC chose Fareham after looking at the college’s Ofsted reports and now the centre will act […]

Bulletin

Provider contract to be cut short amid debt claim

The Skills Funding Agency is tearing up an £800,000 training contract with a Hertfordshire-based provider amid claim the firm owes at least one subcontractor nearly £18,000. Train 4 Work Ltd, which was allocated the contract under the agency’s Adult Skills Budget for 2012/13, was “formally notified” of the move more than two months ago. The […]

News

New chair Stott starts with AoC

new governors’ chair has been appointed at the Association of Colleges after John Bingham stepped down following six years at the helm. The Yorkshire-born telecommunications and IT specialist has been replaced by Carole Stott, chair of governors at London’s City Lit. Association chief executive Martin Doel said: “A great deal has been achieved in the […]

News