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Education 1 month ago

City College Norwich chief to step down for Association of Colleges role

Jerry White, chief executive of City College Norwich, is to step down in September to take up a new position with the Association of Colleges (AoC). The move sees the experienced leader transition from local institutional management to national sector advocacy, highlighting the vital connection between college leadership and the national skills agenda.

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AoC and Unions Unite to Avert Zero Pay Offer for Further Education Staff
Education Jun 18, 2026

AoC and Unions Unite to Avert Zero Pay Offer for Further Education Staff

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has joined forces with trade unions to avoid imposing a damaging zero per cent pay offer on college staff. The collaboration signals growing concern that a pay freeze would exacerbate existing recruitment challenges across the further education sector.

City & Guilds scraps plans for 400 UK job cuts and Greece offshoring
Skills & Employment Jun 18, 2026

City & Guilds scraps plans for 400 UK job cuts and Greece offshoring

Vocational training provider City & Guilds has abandoned proposals to make 400 UK staff redundant and relocate roles to Greece. The U-turn follows widespread concern over the £22m cost-cutting drive by parent company PeopleCert, which acquired the charity’s training business last October.

Proposed GCSE requirement for student loans threatens university access and finances
Policy Jun 17, 2026

Proposed GCSE requirement for student loans threatens university access and finances

Proposals to require GCSE passes for student loan eligibility could exclude approximately 30,000 prospective students annually whilst costing English universities at least £200 million per year. The policy threatens to undermine access to higher education for disadvantaged learners whilst exacerbating the financial instability already facing institutions.

Italia Conti: How stage school culture is evolving for modern students
Education Jun 17, 2026

Italia Conti: How stage school culture is evolving for modern students

As Italia Conti celebrates 115 years, the renowned performing arts school has moved away from its harsh historical reputation towards a more supportive, holistic environment. The presence of a food bank on site highlights the financial pressures facing post-16 students, even at prestigious vocational institutions.

College free meals rate equalised with schools after sector campaign
Policy Jun 15, 2026

College free meals rate equalised with schools after sector campaign

Further education colleges will receive a 5p increase in free meals funding, ending a disparity that left them with lower reimbursement rates than schools. The government decision follows sustained pressure from sector leaders who argued the previous policy disadvantaged post-16 students from low-income households.

Farage proposes political oversight to curb diversity programmes in FE colleges
Policy Jun 15, 2026

Farage proposes political oversight to curb diversity programmes in FE colleges

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced intentions to appoint political monitors within further education colleges to restrict the promotion of diversity initiatives. The proposals would mark a significant intervention in FE sector governance, raising questions about institutional autonomy and the future of equality programmes in vocational education.

Skills body governance under scrutiny as PeopleCert pursues £3m from ex-City & Guilds chiefs
Skills & Employment Jun 15, 2026

Skills body governance under scrutiny as PeopleCert pursues £3m from ex-City & Guilds chiefs

The new owner of City & Guilds is asking 'relevant authorities' to help recover £3 million in allegedly unauthorised bonuses paid to former executives. The case raises significant questions about corporate governance and financial oversight within major awarding bodies that local authorities rely upon for vocational qualifications and skills training.

DfE to publish college enrichment framework following curriculum review
Policy Jun 13, 2026

DfE to publish college enrichment framework following curriculum review

The Department for Education is set to release new enrichment goals for colleges this week, following a curriculum and assessment review that highlighted inconsistent quality across the sector. The framework aims to standardise expectations and improve the student experience in further education.