Shane Chowen
@ukshane.bsky.social
Editor at FE Week - reporting on further education, skills and apprenticeships. Story tips: [email protected]
Pinned
Coming up in this week’s FE Week:
💥Employers line up to attack apprenticeship assessment changes
🔍As NEET figures hover just under 1m, we look at what it takes to keep young people *in* education & training
‼️Exclusive figures show every YOI is failing to meet its 15-hour per week education duty
💥Employers line up to attack apprenticeship assessment changes
🔍As NEET figures hover just under 1m, we look at what it takes to keep young people *in* education & training
‼️Exclusive figures show every YOI is failing to meet its 15-hour per week education duty
As youth NEET figures stubbornly hover around 950k, @jessjanehill.bsky.social goes behind the scenes to find out what it takes for FE providers to keep young people *in* education and training
feweek.co.uk/how-neet-pro...
feweek.co.uk/how-neet-pro...
How NEET providers are propping up a failing system
An inside look at the pressures facing NEET provision, from pastoral care demands to restrictive funding rules
feweek.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
As youth NEET figures stubbornly hover around 950k, @jessjanehill.bsky.social goes behind the scenes to find out what it takes for FE providers to keep young people *in* education and training
feweek.co.uk/how-neet-pro...
feweek.co.uk/how-neet-pro...
Reposted by Shane Chowen
No surprises here, sadly. YOIs are really, really struggling to provide a regime that gets young people out of their cells.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
👮 None of England’s young offender institutions provided children in their care with the education they were entitled to during the last three years, an FE Week probe has revealed
feweek.co.uk/englands-thr...
feweek.co.uk/englands-thr...
England's three YOIs fail 15-hour education requirement
None of England’s young offender institutions provided children in their care with the education they were entitled to during the last three years reveals probe
feweek.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
No surprises here, sadly. YOIs are really, really struggling to provide a regime that gets young people out of their cells.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
Unreliable. Unqualified. Unsafe. That’s what some employers are saying about the government’s proposed apprenticeship assessment reforms.
@billycamden.bsky.social investigates
feweek.co.uk/business-bac...
@billycamden.bsky.social investigates
feweek.co.uk/business-bac...
Business backlash builds over ‘dumbed down’ apprenticeships
Ministers are facing a “tsunami” of employer backlash against their apprenticeship assessment reforms that are being “bulldozed” through despite widespread safety fears. FE Week understands that busin...
feweek.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Unreliable. Unqualified. Unsafe. That’s what some employers are saying about the government’s proposed apprenticeship assessment reforms.
@billycamden.bsky.social investigates
feweek.co.uk/business-bac...
@billycamden.bsky.social investigates
feweek.co.uk/business-bac...
Coming up in this week’s FE Week:
💥Employers line up to attack apprenticeship assessment changes
🔍As NEET figures hover just under 1m, we look at what it takes to keep young people *in* education & training
‼️Exclusive figures show every YOI is failing to meet its 15-hour per week education duty
💥Employers line up to attack apprenticeship assessment changes
🔍As NEET figures hover just under 1m, we look at what it takes to keep young people *in* education & training
‼️Exclusive figures show every YOI is failing to meet its 15-hour per week education duty
November 20, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Coming up in this week’s FE Week:
💥Employers line up to attack apprenticeship assessment changes
🔍As NEET figures hover just under 1m, we look at what it takes to keep young people *in* education & training
‼️Exclusive figures show every YOI is failing to meet its 15-hour per week education duty
💥Employers line up to attack apprenticeship assessment changes
🔍As NEET figures hover just under 1m, we look at what it takes to keep young people *in* education & training
‼️Exclusive figures show every YOI is failing to meet its 15-hour per week education duty
✍️LETTER TO THE EDITOR ✍️
'In recent weeks, each of us has witnessed attempts to sow fear in our communities, particularly the targeting of migrants and minority groups. We feel compelled to speak out against ugly racist attacks, reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s.'
feweek.co.uk/letter-to-th...
'In recent weeks, each of us has witnessed attempts to sow fear in our communities, particularly the targeting of migrants and minority groups. We feel compelled to speak out against ugly racist attacks, reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s.'
feweek.co.uk/letter-to-th...
Letter to the editor: Protecting British values in education
As college leaders, we call on the sector to speak out, protect learners and defend British values against far-right attacks on and off campus
feweek.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:04 AM
✍️LETTER TO THE EDITOR ✍️
'In recent weeks, each of us has witnessed attempts to sow fear in our communities, particularly the targeting of migrants and minority groups. We feel compelled to speak out against ugly racist attacks, reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s.'
feweek.co.uk/letter-to-th...
'In recent weeks, each of us has witnessed attempts to sow fear in our communities, particularly the targeting of migrants and minority groups. We feel compelled to speak out against ugly racist attacks, reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s.'
feweek.co.uk/letter-to-th...
Good evening! Coming up in this week’s FE Week:
💻 Revealed: Two IoTs ditch the brand as ministers pivot to TECs
🚧 College waiting lists soar in priority subjects
🔍 Will this NEET review be any different?
PROFILE: Karen Redhead, West London College
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
💻 Revealed: Two IoTs ditch the brand as ministers pivot to TECs
🚧 College waiting lists soar in priority subjects
🔍 Will this NEET review be any different?
PROFILE: Karen Redhead, West London College
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
November 13, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Good evening! Coming up in this week’s FE Week:
💻 Revealed: Two IoTs ditch the brand as ministers pivot to TECs
🚧 College waiting lists soar in priority subjects
🔍 Will this NEET review be any different?
PROFILE: Karen Redhead, West London College
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
💻 Revealed: Two IoTs ditch the brand as ministers pivot to TECs
🚧 College waiting lists soar in priority subjects
🔍 Will this NEET review be any different?
PROFILE: Karen Redhead, West London College
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
ICYMI: I quizzed skills minister Jacqui Smith on the post-16 white paper on Monday - followed by post-match analysis with Ben Rowland, Julian Gravatt, Caroline McDonald and Anna Fritz
Catch up here:
youtu.be/Hl5pVS9xLWU?...
Catch up here:
youtu.be/Hl5pVS9xLWU?...
Unwrapping the Post-16 Skills White Paper | FE Week Live Stream Recording
YouTube video by EducationScape
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
ICYMI: I quizzed skills minister Jacqui Smith on the post-16 white paper on Monday - followed by post-match analysis with Ben Rowland, Julian Gravatt, Caroline McDonald and Anna Fritz
Catch up here:
youtu.be/Hl5pVS9xLWU?...
Catch up here:
youtu.be/Hl5pVS9xLWU?...
Reform UK politicians appear to be getting themselves into a bit of a bind over ESOL, and it speaks to conflicts at the heart of their politics.
They cry out for integration, but are uncomfortable paying for it.
feweek.co.uk/reform-uk-ma...
They cry out for integration, but are uncomfortable paying for it.
feweek.co.uk/reform-uk-ma...
Jenkyns’ Reform of ESOL remains an outlier… for now
A Reform UK mayor’s plans to ditch ESOL courses because they don’t benefit 'native' residents have not yet been copied elsewhere in England.
feweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Reform UK politicians appear to be getting themselves into a bit of a bind over ESOL, and it speaks to conflicts at the heart of their politics.
They cry out for integration, but are uncomfortable paying for it.
feweek.co.uk/reform-uk-ma...
They cry out for integration, but are uncomfortable paying for it.
feweek.co.uk/reform-uk-ma...
Good evening! Coming up in this week’s @feweek.bsky.social:
🏷️ A white paper, the CAR, and a quals consultation have landed
💡Brand damage, units register, transparency promise - what we learned at AELP’s autumn conference
🔍 Andrea Jenkyns vs ESOL
🧑⚖️ Why the judge threw out the Marples vs DfE case
🏷️ A white paper, the CAR, and a quals consultation have landed
💡Brand damage, units register, transparency promise - what we learned at AELP’s autumn conference
🔍 Andrea Jenkyns vs ESOL
🧑⚖️ Why the judge threw out the Marples vs DfE case
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Good evening! Coming up in this week’s @feweek.bsky.social:
🏷️ A white paper, the CAR, and a quals consultation have landed
💡Brand damage, units register, transparency promise - what we learned at AELP’s autumn conference
🔍 Andrea Jenkyns vs ESOL
🧑⚖️ Why the judge threw out the Marples vs DfE case
🏷️ A white paper, the CAR, and a quals consultation have landed
💡Brand damage, units register, transparency promise - what we learned at AELP’s autumn conference
🔍 Andrea Jenkyns vs ESOL
🧑⚖️ Why the judge threw out the Marples vs DfE case
Some updates on this breaking story:
📢 The Marples family said they are "extremely disappointed" and are discussing next steps with their lawyers
💷 Both parties have a week to agree on costs
❓The family has three weeks to apply for permission to appeal
feweek.co.uk/case-dismiss...
📢 The Marples family said they are "extremely disappointed" and are discussing next steps with their lawyers
💷 Both parties have a week to agree on costs
❓The family has three weeks to apply for permission to appeal
feweek.co.uk/case-dismiss...
Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE
A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the Department for Education
feweek.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Some updates on this breaking story:
📢 The Marples family said they are "extremely disappointed" and are discussing next steps with their lawyers
💷 Both parties have a week to agree on costs
❓The family has three weeks to apply for permission to appeal
feweek.co.uk/case-dismiss...
📢 The Marples family said they are "extremely disappointed" and are discussing next steps with their lawyers
💷 Both parties have a week to agree on costs
❓The family has three weeks to apply for permission to appeal
feweek.co.uk/case-dismiss...
Does the post-16 white paper have the right answers, or even the right questions?
@nickhillman.bsky.social and I join @tom-richmond.com to chew over what it has to say on quality, collaboration and specialisation in the latest episode of Inside Your Ed
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com/1874905/epis...
@nickhillman.bsky.social and I join @tom-richmond.com to chew over what it has to say on quality, collaboration and specialisation in the latest episode of Inside Your Ed
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com/1874905/epis...
Does the Post 16 White Paper have the right answers, or even the right questions? - Inside Your Ed
It is entirely normal for a Government to announce plans to reform either Higher Education (HE) or Further Education (FE). What is much less normal is a Government announcing a plan to reform HE and F...
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Does the post-16 white paper have the right answers, or even the right questions?
@nickhillman.bsky.social and I join @tom-richmond.com to chew over what it has to say on quality, collaboration and specialisation in the latest episode of Inside Your Ed
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com/1874905/epis...
@nickhillman.bsky.social and I join @tom-richmond.com to chew over what it has to say on quality, collaboration and specialisation in the latest episode of Inside Your Ed
insideyoured.buzzsprout.com/1874905/epis...
Some suprising twists and turns in the post-16 white paper this evening.
Buckle up for your trusty @feweek.bsky.social roundup:
feweek.co.uk/new-law-to-b...
Buckle up for your trusty @feweek.bsky.social roundup:
feweek.co.uk/new-law-to-b...
New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms
The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled
feweek.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Some suprising twists and turns in the post-16 white paper this evening.
Buckle up for your trusty @feweek.bsky.social roundup:
feweek.co.uk/new-law-to-b...
Buckle up for your trusty @feweek.bsky.social roundup:
feweek.co.uk/new-law-to-b...
So kind of DfE to drop a white paper and a consultation on level 2 and 3 qualifications at the same time
First up - here's everything we know about V Levels, brand new T Levels and sweeping reforms to level 2 provision, including the end of the T Level foundation year
feweek.co.uk/what-we-know...
First up - here's everything we know about V Levels, brand new T Levels and sweeping reforms to level 2 provision, including the end of the T Level foundation year
feweek.co.uk/what-we-know...
V Levels, new T Levels and the end of the T Level foundation year
Plans for V Levels, new T Levels and new level 2 programmes have been revealed in a new government consultation
feweek.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
So kind of DfE to drop a white paper and a consultation on level 2 and 3 qualifications at the same time
First up - here's everything we know about V Levels, brand new T Levels and sweeping reforms to level 2 provision, including the end of the T Level foundation year
feweek.co.uk/what-we-know...
First up - here's everything we know about V Levels, brand new T Levels and sweeping reforms to level 2 provision, including the end of the T Level foundation year
feweek.co.uk/what-we-know...
Flanked by the science secretary Liz Kendall and DWP secretary (who is in charge of skills now) Pat McFadden, Bridget Phillipson has begun her statement on the post-16 education and skills white paper
October 20, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Flanked by the science secretary Liz Kendall and DWP secretary (who is in charge of skills now) Pat McFadden, Bridget Phillipson has begun her statement on the post-16 education and skills white paper
The Speaker granted two urgent questions this afternoon, which has pushed Bridget Phillipson's ministerial statement on the skills white paper back. They're on the second one now, so shouldn't be too much longer.
October 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The Speaker granted two urgent questions this afternoon, which has pushed Bridget Phillipson's ministerial statement on the skills white paper back. They're on the second one now, so shouldn't be too much longer.
First outing at education questions for new ministers Josh MacAlister and Liv Bailey
MacAlister first up answering questions about the IB
MacAlister first up answering questions about the IB
October 20, 2025 at 1:38 PM
First outing at education questions for new ministers Josh MacAlister and Liv Bailey
MacAlister first up answering questions about the IB
MacAlister first up answering questions about the IB
Of course, @feweek.bsky.social readers had a head start on V Levels
Here’s our story from a couple of weeks ago
feweek.co.uk/revealed-v-l...
Here’s our story from a couple of weeks ago
feweek.co.uk/revealed-v-l...
October 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Of course, @feweek.bsky.social readers had a head start on V Levels
Here’s our story from a couple of weeks ago
feweek.co.uk/revealed-v-l...
Here’s our story from a couple of weeks ago
feweek.co.uk/revealed-v-l...
In a teaser ahead of tomorrow's post-16 education and skills white paper, the government confirmed it will introduce V Levels to go alongside A-levels and T Levels.
Unlike T Levels, V Levels will be smaller, A-level sized qualifications. They will replace existing level 3 alternatives like BTECs.
Unlike T Levels, V Levels will be smaller, A-level sized qualifications. They will replace existing level 3 alternatives like BTECs.
✌️ ‘V Level’ qualifications and ’stepping stone’ courses for GCSE resit students will be announced in a post-16 education and skills white paper tomorrow
feweek.co.uk/white-paper-...
feweek.co.uk/white-paper-...
White paper to confirm V Levels and GCSE resit ‘stepping stones’
New vocational courses will be the size of an A-level and replace existing alternatives to T Levels
feweek.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
In a teaser ahead of tomorrow's post-16 education and skills white paper, the government confirmed it will introduce V Levels to go alongside A-levels and T Levels.
Unlike T Levels, V Levels will be smaller, A-level sized qualifications. They will replace existing level 3 alternatives like BTECs.
Unlike T Levels, V Levels will be smaller, A-level sized qualifications. They will replace existing level 3 alternatives like BTECs.
Good evening! Coming up in this week’s @feweek.bsky.social:
🫖T Levels Week: Clawback investigated, ambassador chair interviewed, a student writes in
🏷️City and Guilds sold in ‘landmark’ deal
🎯Whitehall misses its own apprenticeships target
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
#TomorrowsPapersToday
🫖T Levels Week: Clawback investigated, ambassador chair interviewed, a student writes in
🏷️City and Guilds sold in ‘landmark’ deal
🎯Whitehall misses its own apprenticeships target
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
#TomorrowsPapersToday
October 16, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Good evening! Coming up in this week’s @feweek.bsky.social:
🫖T Levels Week: Clawback investigated, ambassador chair interviewed, a student writes in
🏷️City and Guilds sold in ‘landmark’ deal
🎯Whitehall misses its own apprenticeships target
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
#TomorrowsPapersToday
🫖T Levels Week: Clawback investigated, ambassador chair interviewed, a student writes in
🏷️City and Guilds sold in ‘landmark’ deal
🎯Whitehall misses its own apprenticeships target
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
#TomorrowsPapersToday
So DfE *can* rectify a bad funding band decision … and compensate training providers
feweek.co.uk/revealed-dfe...
feweek.co.uk/revealed-dfe...
DfE's special payments to providers after funding blunder
Wheels in motion for convoy of claims after unprecedented payouts
feweek.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 8:33 AM
So DfE *can* rectify a bad funding band decision … and compensate training providers
feweek.co.uk/revealed-dfe...
feweek.co.uk/revealed-dfe...
Good evening! Coming up in this week’s FE Week:
🚛 Nearly £3m in backpay after HGV apprenticeship funding blunder
🔍 Could regional improvement team proposals work for colleges?
📋 Weston out of intervention, but investigations continue
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
#TomorrowsPapersToday
🚛 Nearly £3m in backpay after HGV apprenticeship funding blunder
🔍 Could regional improvement team proposals work for colleges?
📋 Weston out of intervention, but investigations continue
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
#TomorrowsPapersToday
October 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Good evening! Coming up in this week’s FE Week:
🚛 Nearly £3m in backpay after HGV apprenticeship funding blunder
🔍 Could regional improvement team proposals work for colleges?
📋 Weston out of intervention, but investigations continue
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
#TomorrowsPapersToday
🚛 Nearly £3m in backpay after HGV apprenticeship funding blunder
🔍 Could regional improvement team proposals work for colleges?
📋 Weston out of intervention, but investigations continue
Subscribe | feweek.co.uk/subscribe/
#TomorrowsPapersToday
Badenoch confirms what was trailed last night, including a claim she was an apprentice before going to university
I've sourced some evidence Badenoch had a gap year placement at an architect's firm in around 1998/1999 - not sure that counts as an apprenticeship though
feweek.co.uk/badenoch-ill...
I've sourced some evidence Badenoch had a gap year placement at an architect's firm in around 1998/1999 - not sure that counts as an apprenticeship though
feweek.co.uk/badenoch-ill...
Badenoch: I'll double apprenticeships budget by slashing uni degrees
Leader of the opposition would reintroduce student number controls for 'poor quality' uni courses to fund apprenticeship boost
feweek.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Badenoch confirms what was trailed last night, including a claim she was an apprentice before going to university
I've sourced some evidence Badenoch had a gap year placement at an architect's firm in around 1998/1999 - not sure that counts as an apprenticeship though
feweek.co.uk/badenoch-ill...
I've sourced some evidence Badenoch had a gap year placement at an architect's firm in around 1998/1999 - not sure that counts as an apprenticeship though
feweek.co.uk/badenoch-ill...
Business owner in the room: 'I have to pay my apprentice minimum wage next year. Why would I do that if I can get someone with 20 years of experience?'
Erm if you're using below-minimum-wage workers to run your business, your business isn't viable
#CPC25
Erm if you're using below-minimum-wage workers to run your business, your business isn't viable
#CPC25
October 5, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Business owner in the room: 'I have to pay my apprentice minimum wage next year. Why would I do that if I can get someone with 20 years of experience?'
Erm if you're using below-minimum-wage workers to run your business, your business isn't viable
#CPC25
Erm if you're using below-minimum-wage workers to run your business, your business isn't viable
#CPC25
Ex-skills minister Robert Halfon said the prime minister's speech on further education and skills was "an incredible thing" and "built on the work we did" #CPC25
October 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Ex-skills minister Robert Halfon said the prime minister's speech on further education and skills was "an incredible thing" and "built on the work we did" #CPC25