The Staffroom - opinion

When flags divide instead of unite, FE must help rebuild belonging

As national identity becomes a battleground, FE must show what true unity looks like: diverse, empathetic and brave enough...

Jessica Hill
Haroon Bashir
workforce development

Workforce development needed to achieve white paper’s tertiary vision

The post-16 education and skills white paper seeks a unified tertiary system but a single framework for teaching is...

Jessica Hill
Dr Katerina Kolyva
English and maths, Skills reform

Francis review prompts DfE shake-up of English and maths accountability measures

Review response also reveals incoming guidance for colleges on enrichment

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges

‘£379m’ in college capital cash will return to Treasury via ‘penalising’ VAT rules

Academies were granted VAT exemptions in 2011

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Higher education

Limited understanding: OfS grants degree powers to wrong LTE Group

OfS makes gaffe on the wrong gaff

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges

DfE names FE teacher training taskforce members

Wigan and Leigh College principal Anna Dawe will chair the group

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
V Levels

V Levels can streamline, but beware a re-badging exercise

The government’s vision for a simpler skills system is welcome, but real reform means tackling deep-rooted issues like staffing,...

Jessica Hill
Robbie Maris
Colleges

White paper is a long-overdue vote of confidence in colleges – let’s make it count

The new white paper signals real belief in FE, with funding, new pathways and a bigger role for colleges....

Jessica Hill
David Hughes
English and maths

Finally, a real stepping stone for GCSE English and maths learners

After years of watching students struggle through endless GCSE resits, this reform could be the breakthrough they’ve been waiting...

Jessica Hill
Dr Alice Eardley