Richard Atkins | FE Week

Hull College Group to shed over 200 staff

Hull College Group is preparing to shed up to 231 full-time jobs in an effort to balance its books. In a statement that appeared online yesterday, chief executive Michelle Swithenbank warned that “some difficult decisions have to be made” to regain stability amid longstanding financial troubles. The FE commissioner reported in February last year that […]

FE Commissioner: “Structural change” could follow £1.4m emergency cash injection

The FE Commissioner has warned a college may need “structural change” after it was given £1.4 million in emergency cash. A report published today revealed Kirklees College in Yorkshire was issued with a notice of concern on September 28 following a request for exceptional financial support from the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Kirklees College […]

Atkins’ aides: Principals appointed to advise DfE

A crack team of seven top principals has been chosen by the FE commissioner to advise government officials on skills policy, FE Week can reveal. The seven, who make up Richard Atkins’ principals’ reference group, will be used as a sounding board for officials on topics including the development of T-levels. Speaking exclusively to FE […]

Skills minister personally delays controversial Kensington college merger

A controversial merger between two London colleges has been delayed after an intervention from the skills minister and the FE commissioner, motivated by the ongoing fallout from the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The final vote by Kensington and Chelsea College board of governors either to accept or reject a merger with Ealing, Hammersmith and West London […]

Commissioner concerned over ‘strain’ on leaders running two colleges

Concerns about the “strain” on a leadership team running two colleges simultaneously – one of which is deeply troubled – have been raised by the FE Commissioner, in one of three reports. Richard Atkins and his team visited Huntingdonshire Regional College in January, following an inadequate Ofsted grade in October – with the report now […]

FE Week asks: FE Commissioner on ‘big success’ area reviews

Richard Atkins has had a very busy four months since he was confirmed as the new FE Commissioner. FE Week’s Jude Burke caught up with him this week, for an exclusive interview on his progress in the demanding role, at the AoC’s Governors Summit With the area review process and college interventions occupying so much […]

Richard Atkins: The FE sector ‘is doing pretty well’

The FE sector is not doomed, the new commissioner has insisted during upbeat speech dismissing claims that it was “failing”. In his first major address to sector leaders since he took over from Sir David Collins in October, Richard Atkins told a packed reception for governors’ at the Association of Colleges annual conference that “the […]