Skinners’ Academies Trust
‘ofsted’
The boss of Elmfield Training Ltd has been accused by an MP of a “rip off” over his firm’s high profit margins which have been generated by the public purse. Ged Syddall, founder and chief executive officer of Elmfield Training Ltd, was joined by Norman Pickavance, HR Directer at Morrisons, to give evidence to the MPs on Business, Innovation […]
News
Schools with sixth forms are restricting pupils’ access to information about alternative education options, according to a new study. The survey, conducted by the Association of Colleges (AoC), shows half of schools which have their own sixth forms are providing GCSE pupils with “poor, limited or no access” to information about courses available in their […]
I am a big fan of the AoC and have always believed a mature sector must have a pan-college body to argue on its behalf. However, I have always opposed the idea that such a body should even recommend, let alone tell me, how much I should pay my staff. Independence is a cornerstone of […]
Opinion
FE provider membership bodies are calling on Ofsted to take a greater look at the information, advice and guidance given out at schools. The Association of Colleges (AoC) believes the education regulator should grade the advice handed out to school students, while Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has urged Ofsted to make it […]
Nick Linford, Managing Director, Lsect Karl Bentley, Lead Auditor, RSM Tenon Mike Davis, Principal Officer, Ofsted Subcontracting arrangements are worrying Ofsted “big time”, according to Mike Davis HMI, the regulator’s principal officer of further education (FE) colleges. Speaking at the Lsect Spring College Data Conference, in London, Mr Davis said Ofsted was concerned with the […]
Uncategorized
What does it cost to open a 14-19 University Technical College? If you are Lord Baker, it’s upwards of £20m. If you are from Cleveland and Redcar College you get the same for £30,000 – the research grant they won from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service that multiplied into support from local business and […]
Brian Lightman never had any political ambitions. In fact, if someone had told him he would end up as the head of a trade union, he’d probably have laughed, he says. Now in his second year as general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), he regularly rubs shoulders with policy makers, […]
Profiles
The principal of a college which underwent the first no-notice inspection in FE has praised the piloted scheme. Richard Atkins, the principal at Exeter College, believes the proposed style puts less pressure on staff compared to the current three week build up. However, he believes that “serious consideration” needs to be given to employer responsive […]
A college will not renew membership to the 157 Group amid reports of an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted inspection. Lambeth College, in London, revealed on Wednesday that it will no longer be part of the group as it planned to “focus on improving” its performance. A spokesperson for the college said: “We will not be renewing our […]
