Association of Colleges | FE Week

Hughes criticises DfE for claiming university regulator has FE representation

The government and its former universities minister are under fire for “worrying” confusion over FE college representation on the board of the new higher education regulator. During a bitter parliamentary debate on January 8, ex-minister Jo Johnson claimed that FE was represented on the board of the Office for Students in the form of Monisha […]

Corbyn threatens independence of colleges

Colleges’ status as independent corporations could be at risk under Labour’s plan for free lifelong learning, Jeremy Corbyn has said. The service, which Mr Corbyn compared to the National Health Service, would offer “cradle-to-grave education free at the point of use”. The party leader outlined plans for a National Education Service during his keynote address […]

Weston College takes two gongs at the AoC Beacon Awards

The AoC Beacon Award winners, which recognise innovative and outstanding activities in colleges across the UK, have been announced. The ceremony took place this evening on the opening day of the AoC annual conference at the ICC in Birmingham. Among the winners was Weston College, which achieved a double success, winning awards for improving functional, […]

AoC boss expresses regret over 1 per cent pay offer

The Association of Colleges has expressed regret for offering staff a one-per-cent payrise – and has come in for heavy criticism from the unions for its trouble. “We wish we were in a position to make a better recommendation today, but current funding levels for colleges do not allow us to do so,” claimed AoC […]

EXCLUSIVE: DfE’s decision to defend small school sixth form cost £76,000 in fees

A legal challenge brought against the government by the Association of Colleges over the opening of a small-school sixth form last year has cost the tax payer over £75,000, FE Week can reveal. According to a Freedom of Information we submitted to the Department for Education in July, it paid out a huge £60,000 for […]

Association of Colleges appoints new deputy chief executive

Kirsti Lord, acting principal at City College Coventry, has been appointed as the new deputy chief executive of the Association of Colleges. She will take up the role with a specific focus on member services, alongside current deputy chief executive Julian Gravatt (pictured below left). Ms Lord (pictured above) has been acting principal at the […]

Colleges rely on A&E to help students with serious mental health issues

Colleges are increasingly sending students who reach “crisis point” to accident and emergency, an FE Week investigation has heard. Nikki Lane, head of student wellbeing and progression at Great Yarmouth College (pictured right), said a combination of cuts and a lack of other options had led the college to fall back on calls to A&E […]

Mass delays to publication of special needs learner plans spark calls for government intervention

“Very concerning” delays with councils delivering education health and care plans (EHCP) for young people with special needs, which could deprive many of FE support from January, have sparked calls for a government crackdown. Local authorities are legally obliged to put in place the new plans for young people in FE and training – which […]

‘Incredibly unfair’ funding quirk riles colleges

Colleges have hit out at an “incredibly unfair” flaw in the notorious English and maths condition-of-funding rule – which makes it impossible to achieve 100 percent compliance, and could cost them funding. An Education Funding Agency rule states that any study-programme learners who don’t already have at least a C in English and maths must […]