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 Ofsted’s...

Date | 5th January 2026 As the spring term gets underway, 16–18 provision in England’s FE and sixth-form colleges finds itself finely balanced: welcome policy signals and investment commitments on one side, and sharp funding and capacity pressures on the other. For college leaders, three themes stand out right now: tightening 16–19 funding expectations, a growing post-16 capacity squeeze, and the government’s wider skills and technical education agenda Funding rules and compliance...

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 trajectory. Local Leaders...