Power to the Regions: Why This Week’s Funding and Reform News Matters for FE
Date | 19th December 2025 Devolution, Reform, and Results: A Pivotal Week for 16-18 Education As the autumn term draws to a close, the UK’s Further Education (FE) sector has seen a flurry of activity that signals a significant shift in how colleges will operate and be funded in the coming years. From the devolution of multi-million-pound capital budgets to the first concrete steps in apprenticeship reform, this week has provided a clear roadmap for the sector’s 2026 trajector
6 days ago2 min read
Data Scrutiny, Social Value, and the Staff Survey: The Week in UK FE
Date | 15th December 2025 It’s been a crucial week for college leaders, with updates from the Department for Education (DfE) reinforcing the importance of accurate data submissions, alongside new research highlighting the profound social value of Further Education. These developments underscore the sector's role not just as a provider of qualifications but as a critical piece of the UK’s social and economic infrastructure. 1. DfE Data Scrutiny Tightens with New Post-16 Monito
Dec 152 min read
Data, Funding and Purpose: This Week’s FE insights on Curriculum Reform and the Power of Specialist Colleges
Date | 5th December 2025 This week’s FE top stories centre on curriculum reform, funding assurance, regulation, legal challenge and the social mission of FE, giving college leaders plenty to digest. Curriculum reform moves centre stage A major theme is the push to put FE and skills at the heart of wider curriculum reforms, with sector voices arguing that any “world‑class” framework must treat vocational and technical routes as equal partners to academic pathways. Commentator
Dec 52 min read
The Great Divide: Decoding the Budget's £590 Million Upswing vs. Adult Skills Cuts
Date | 28th November 2025 The latest round of government announcements has painted a contrasting picture for the Further Education (FE) sector. While the 16-18 provision received a much-needed injection of funding, the adult skills budget faced notable reductions. For college leaders and finance teams, understanding the specific details of these shifts is vital for strategic planning in the years ahead. 1. A Substantial £590 Million Boost for 16-18 Funding The most positive n
Nov 283 min read
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