Phones, Progression and Payments: Half‑Term Updates for College Teams
Date | 6th February 2026 Operational focus on student support (bursaries/claims), digital/behaviour (phones/AI), inspection insights (Ofsted chief speech), and funding/progression (apprenticeships) – practical for finance, curriculum, and student services across FE/sixth‑form colleges. Claims, cashflow and data Funding admin is in full swing, even with half‑term on the horizon. The latest DfE update brings together Care to Learn and 16 to 19 Bursary Fund reminders, the adult
23 hours ago3 min read
Funding Calendars, ‘Regular Accounting’ and Report Cards: This Week’s Accountability Shake‑Up for Colleges
Date | 30th January 2026 Colleges have spent this week looking hard at two things that never go away: cash flow and accountability. While the new Ofsted report card model is still bedding in, DfE has quietly published more detail on how and when funding will hit post‑16 bank accounts and how college accounting officers are expected to evidence control. Funding timelines: when the money lands This week’s DfE FE update trails a new GOV.UK page bringing together payments and all
Jan 303 min read
Colleges balance staffing data, estates funding and accountability statements as January policy picture becomes clearer
Date | 23rd January 2026 This week’s policy updates and commentary pushed three things onto college agendas for 16–18 provision: a new teacher FTE “snapshot” return, a clearer FE estates pipeline, and refreshed expectations around accountability statements and local needs duties. Underneath, the same themes keep surfacing – workforce pressure, capital planning and how well local plans actually match what young people need. Workforce: the new FTE snapshot The DfE has now confi
Jan 233 min read
Inspection, Funding and Pathways: What This Week’s Policy Moves Mean for 16–18 Provision
Date | 9th January 2026 The first full teaching week of January has underlined how finely balanced 16–18 provision in England’s FE and sixth-form colleges now is, as inspection reform, funding updates and qualification changes converge. For leaders, the challenge is less about any single announcement and more about how these policy strands interact on the ground for learners, staff and local communities. Ofsted's Transition The most immediate operational shift continues to be
Jan 92 min read
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