FE News on the go

In this article, Zoe writes about how everyone in the education sector, from schools and pupils to publishers, can be agents for sustainability. Empowering Young Minds for SustainabilityYoung people are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, and upholding their rights to a clean, healthy, and sustainable planet should be at the heart of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climat...

According to a study by the HAAS School of Business at UC Berkeley, when people are recognised for their work, they are 23% more effective and productive compared to those not receiving recognition. People who feel valued and appreciated by their manager and team are 43% more effective and productive – delivering nearly twice the impact. That’s the quantifiable value of appreciation. In the presen...

This article celebrates the remarkable achievements of women in the tech industry, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit, contributions to innovation, and the transformative impact of diversity. It highlights their stories, challenges, and the WomenTech Network’s role in empowering and connecting women to drive change and shape a more inclusive future in technology. Amidst the dynamic shifts bro...

We’re continuing our conversation with two successful leaders in the further education and skills sector who are passionate about inclusive leadership; Dr Katerina Kolyva, CEO of the Education and Training Foundation, and Professor Jo Maher, Principal and CEO at Loughborough College, and recently appointed as Loughborough University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Sport. In the final part of our convers...

In the second of five exclusive articles for FE News exploring AELP’s Skills Means Growth vision for a sustainable skills system, Paul Warner outlines how he thinks we should be promoting and enabling greater learner choice. All of us in the skills sector are in the business of empowering learners, whether that is to begin, develop or change careers or achieve personal growth. Now it is time to go...

Perhaps the most important aspect of the recent AI Safety Summit (Bletchley Park, 1 & 2 November) was its theatre. Senior policymakers from 28 countries plus the EU attended, roughly half the world’s substantial economies. There were some notable absences, for example, Argentina, Russia, Qatar, and some A listers, such as Joe Biden, did not appear, but by and large both cast and audience were...

In this article, Sheila discusses the benefits of Flexi-job apprenticeships to businesses that have a non-standard employment model and are looking for top talent. Flexi-job apprenticeships improve social mobility, create opportunities for those who want to pursue their dream career and help to close the digital skills gap. As organisations struggle to equip themselves with digitally skilled staff...

Jessie Soohyun Park, Head of CSR at Samsung UK looks at social mobility in the UK and what’s holding young people back from joining the buoyant tech industry. Challenges in the UK Job MarketThe rapid advances in technology in the UK should mean the future has never looked brighter for young people. However, the job market paints a very different picture, with 93% of UK businesses feeling the pinch...

This article explores how digital credentials can support learners through their whole career journeys by creating full, personalised credential pathways which demonstrate long-term commitment to learning and development. These pathways incentivise learners while also showcasing their progress and the skills that they have developed while following the pathway, helping them to show employers or cu...

£500 million – a figure that’s sparking conversations in the UK’s further education (FE) sector, as the government aims to position the country as a global Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub. This investment, dedicated to establishing new innovation centres, raises important questions for those involved in FE. How will this funding enhance AI education and its integration across various disciplines?...

We’re continuing our inclusive leadership ‘in conversation’ series with Dr Katerina Kolyva, CEO of the Education and Training Foundation, and Professor Jo Maher, Principal and CEO at Loughborough College, recently appointed as Loughborough University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Sport. In part two they discuss the importance of inclusive working practices and what an inclusive sector looks like. What...

In this article, Raquel Noboa outlines the massive shift underway in education, as organisations rush to understand green skills and embed them into programmes and qualifications alike, and how green skills need to go beyond emissions and renewable industries. The UK government has pledged £4.5 billion over the next five years until 2030, in an effort to attract investments in strategic manufactur...

This article explores teacher professional development in the FE sector. It includes an overview of the recently implemented Teacher Development Programme at The Sheffield College, that has been built on the rich evidence base for successful teacher professional development. In the last week I have had two teachers who were leaving the college say in a roundabout way, ‘thank you for supporting my...

This article discusses Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s £500 million investment in AI innovation centres and the need for inclusive AI education. Emphasising that AI impacts everyone, the author calls for strategies to ensure widespread understanding and participation, highlighting the risks of excluding diverse voices. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in his Autumn Statement, dangled the prospect of some serious...

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, maintaining high employee engagement is essential for every company’s success. Why? Because engaged employees are more likely to deliver value and drive productivity, while ultimately supporting organisations to weather challenging economic times. Yet despite this, in the face of economic uncertainty, technological advancements and evolving work patterns,...

Due to the speed of technological innovation, technology has become a powerful enabler of digital and remote learning. With today’s generation being tomorrow’s problem-solvers, it is vital students of all ages are armed with the skills, knowledge and tech know-how to unleash their full problem-solving potential. Over the past three years, during which time more than 1.2 billion children were force...

While digital technologies are transforming classrooms into dynamic learning environments, their increased use raises cybersecurity risks around student data privacy. This article shares insights on how schools can tailor secure IT policies, scrutinise edtech tools, choose reliable vendors, and leverage experts to integrate technology safely and strategically into the modern classroom. The rise of...

Addressing the challenges of AP with AI By Fleur SextonExclusion from school has lifelong implications. Fifty percent of those excluded become NEET post-16, with just 4% achieving a pass in maths and English GCSEs. Widely recognised as ‘the pipeline to prison’, statistics from prison inmates are undeniably convincing: 42% of prisoners were expelled or permanently excluded from school, 59% truanted...

How the Education sector can help tackle society’s digital dilemma Unlike the journey to Net Zero , achieving social value in the UK Education sector is less clear. But according to Martin, Education professionals are well positioned to achieve social value by playing an active role in reducing digital exclusion, setting future workers up for success. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) iss...

Physical activity and academic performance: The link between exercise and wellbeing in academic institutionsThis article will explore the benefits of physical activity in academic institutions for student and faculty wellbeing, as well as academic performance. The article will also highlight the positive effects of exercise on mental health, reducing stress levels, and improving cognitive function...

In this article, Stacey Hayes-Allen, Director of Corporate Partnerships at Arden University, explores the functional skills hurdle facing degree apprenticeship learners, looking at how businesses can support employees in overcoming this to upskill and futureproof top talent. She also discusses how providing access to degree apprenticeships can be a practical and successful way for companies to add...

With maths education being highlighted by both Conservative and Labour at the recent political party conferences, what could the proposals and discussions mean for schools and teachers? Dr Thomas Hunt, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Derby, who leads the Mathematics Anxiety Research Group, discusses. Getting maths education right is essential. After all, maths attainment is...

With English and maths being talked about more than ever before, David Redden, Functional Skills specialist at the awarding organisation NCFE, outlines the challenges facing both learners and educators, and discusses what needs to be done to change the status quo. We currently live in a country where if you don’t achieve your English and maths at school, you are plunged into a world of uncertainty...

In this article, Abby discusses Welldoing, a sustainable and adaptive approach which allows busy academics to manage multiple challenges in the classroom. Welldoing helps colleagues to support student wellbeing via learning. The education sector, from Primary and Secondary to Further and Higher education, is witnessing a crisis in young people’s mental health (Department for Health and Department...

The advancement of generative AI has encouraged organisations to become more cross-functional than ever before. The technology is opening doors to innovation, offering opportunities for various departments to collaborate on new projects. This shift can be hugely beneficial for an organisation’s growth, but should be managed carefully. In order for this naturally evolving collaborative mindset to s...