Why we need more women in further education
According to the recent Times Higher Education World University Rankings, less than one fifth of the world’s top 200 universities are led by women. The 2016-2017 report showed that 18% of the top
- 14
- May 2019
- Secret Lecturer
Secret Lecturer: Where’s the incentive for basic skills students?
If we ever do leave the EU – now perhaps anyone’s guess – a career and skills progression ladder for those with basic skills is a must. If the government continues to ignore an urgent need for
- 30
- October 2018
- Secret Lecturer
Secret Lecturer - mergers and how to make them work
Almost every week the education press seems to carry yet another story on further education college mergers, whether proposed, completed or abandoned. This year alone has seen five successful mergers,
- 06
- December 2017
- Secret Lecturer
What are T levels & how could they impact FE
The government recently announced that technical qualifications, known as T-Levels, will be phased into the education system between 2018 and 2022. Although they were first mentioned in 2015, their
- 14
- November 2017
- Jeff Hawtin
4 industries that need more workers, students and teachers
The UK is in the midst of one of its worst skills shortages, and according to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, 43 per cent of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) vacancies
- 07
- November 2017
- Jeff Hawtin
Secret Lecturer - Bigger, shinier, better . . . but where’s my local college?
Funding cuts and Downing Street’s continued hostility to lifting the public sector pay cap mean reduced opportunities in colleges across the board. Retrenchment combined with area reviews is leading
- 07
- October 2017
- Secret Lecturer
Getting more girls into STEM: Why it starts with FE
The uptake of STEM subjects among girls plummets going into FE. Making up just 8% of those studying for A Levels in computing, and 22% in physics in 2012, only 5.5% of those who completed a STEM
- 04
- October 2017
- Jeff Hawtin
Will the rise in retirement age lead to a boost in adult education?
At the end of July, the government had a surprise announcement: the state pension age rise to 68 would be brought forward. The rise was previously due to take place in 2044, but it has now been moved
- 29
- August 2017
- Jeff Hawtin
Secret Lecturer - Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The new CPD: research how you teach and then share the resultsIt was looking like a typical end of term. Anxious BTec students ‘jumping’ you to get project work signed off. Departing uni applicants
- 24
- July 2017
- Secret Lecturer
Secret Lecturer - Are students and college staff really ok?
Do you ever wonder why people send you work emails at the strangest times? One Monday morning a colleague found an email waiting for him sent by his line manager late on a Saturday evening. It harked
- 19
- June 2017
- Secret Lecturer