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Eyes on the prize: Specialist officers are giving students a better experience of sport

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

When Kevin Hamblin took over as principal of Filton College in Bristol, only 14 students took part in any timetabled sporting activities and just one sports coach was employed on a part-time basis. "Those 14 did football on a Wednesday afternoon and there wasn't even a goalkeeper among them," says Hamblin.

Bright future: How Britain's colleges are unlocking young talent

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

At this year's Conservative Party Conference, MP John Hayes described colleges as "the unheralded triumph". High time, then, that colleges start to blow their own trumpet and it is in this spirit that the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Association of Colleges will launch the first ever Colleges Week on 10 November.

A-Z Of Courses: Early-years education

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

From bad to verse: South London students are fighting violent crime with their own performing arts scheme

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Fear of gun and knife crime stalks communities in our inner cities. Although official statistics show that it is still relatively rare, with knives used in 6 per cent of violent crimes and firearms in just 1 per cent, the headlines talk of a barrage of youth-on-youth knife and firearm attacks amid an increasingly violent and lawless street culture. For those communities devastated by these senseless slayings, it doesn't matter what the headlines and statistics say: they need action to counter the downward spiral of fear and hopelessness that begets only more violence and vengeance on our streets.

Martin Doel: 'Fifty colleges will be raising money for Children in Need '

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

It is a common refrain among education professionals that the contribution of colleges to our economic and social welfare is often overlooked, but the first Colleges Week – from 10-16 November – will swing the spotlight in their direction.

Apprentices are victims of the credit crunch

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

When Mark Rood began his apprenticeship in electrical installation at Eastleigh College a year ago, he could never have believed that, just 12 months later, he would be a victim of the credit crunch.

Leading Article: Help part-timers

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:00:01 GMT

It is very good news that the Government finally is to look at the inequity in funding between full-time students and part-timers, who often are having to squeeze their studies around family commitments and a job.

Conservatoire says yes, yes, yes to pop

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:00:01 GMT

This month, the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester, began a new foundation degree called "popular music practice (session musician)". Yes, a conservatoire teaching a job-specific foundation degree. And yes, a conservatoire doing pop.

Against The Grain: 'We shouldn't be earthbound'

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Charles S Cockell is a professor of microbiology at the Open University. He argues that Britain should be more involved in space exploration.

Students in colleges have no one to complain to – so is it time for a watchdog?

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:00:01 GMT

All is not well in the world of further education. Dissatisfied learners who exhaust a college's internal complaints system have little option but to turn to the Learning and Skills Council, which is due to disappear by 2010, or their MP – who will probably refer their enquiry to the local LSC.

'Soldiers will emerge from service with a disposition for learning'

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:00:01 GMT

The Government's recent announcement of new support for the armed forces and their families included an increase in compensation and priority access to social housing for injured personnel as well as a valuable education entitlement – troops with at least six years of service will qualify for free college or university education.

Brandon Robshaw: A high price to pay for failing a form-filling test

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:00:01 GMT

People often say, "It's not the money, it's the principle", without really meaning it. In fact, they generally mean the opposite. But the further education college where I teach has recently put me in the unusual position of being able to make this claim with absolute sincerity.

A day that puts VQs on the map

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Brenda Comer, a voluntary shop assistant for the charity Scope, was 81 when she signed up for a Level 2 NVQ certificate in retail. Meanwhile, Taj Atwal was 16 when she started a national diploma in dance and acting. Both women demonstrate the huge age range of people who sign up to take voluntary qualifications.

New links into learning: Getting students with educational difficulties into work

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:00:01 GMT

So dire have job opportunities been for people with learning disabilities in recent decades that they're often referred to as the "three Fs" - food, filth and folding. But things are finally changing, and colleges - both specialist and FE - are at the forefront.

Gold standard: What does it take to become a five-star college?

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Unlike five-star hotels, there's no feather bed or foie gras on offer to students at Britain's five-star colleges. Only very hard work: "No student here has an end-of-term holiday unless they are up to date with their work," says South Cheshire College principal and Association of Colleges President, David Collins. "The college stays open all year. Any student who has fallen behind has to come in to catch up. And if their attendance falls below 85 per cent, we give them the Jobcentre phone number, because we don't think they are serious."

A-Z of courses: Dutch

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:00:01 GMT

What is it?

How sixth form colleges give students the chance to shine

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:00:01 GMT

All institutions struggle with misconceptions and sixth form colleges (SFCs) are no exception. "A lot of people think we are elite A-level factories," says Helen Pegg, principal of Stoke SFC. Nothing could be further from the truth. Located in Stoke-on-Trent, an area with high levels of deprivation, Pegg says she has the widest mix of students you could imagine. "We have some really high performing students and some very needy ones and I suppose what makes sixth form colleges stand out is our ability to react to that range."

John Bingham: In praise of the inspirational qualities that unite our beacon award winners

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:00:01 GMT

My position as chair of the AoC Charitable Trust is among the most enjoyable I hold. Since 1994, its Beacon Awards have recognised the very best in the college sector and promoted the highest standards.

Thanks to the web, a new generation of adults is getting a second shot at education

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:00:01 GMT

This month, the University of London's external programme celebrates its 150th anniversary - just as the distance-learning industry faces a turning point.

Pay talks open as low morale bites

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Today, college employers and negotiators from six trade unions will try to settle the latest pay dispute to hit further education. Unions representing lecturers and non-teaching staff are demanding a 6 per cent rise (or a minimum of £1,500) while employers have only been willing to offer 2.5 per cent.

'Further education is critical for developing local workforces'

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Further education is sometimes defined in terms of what it is not - that it is neither school, nor university education. This, in turn, is viewed as a reflection of the general profile of FE - the variety of providers and courses, the prejudices of national commentators and the very breadth of the term 'further education' mean that its strong local reputation often does not translate nationally and it is classified as 'other'.

Treat your mind to a weekend trip

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:00:01 GMT

It is little surprise that Plato saw a sense of wonder and intellectual curiosity as the foundation of thought and civilisation. Perhaps more surprising is that the Government often seems not to, eschewing learning for learning's sake and instead focusing resources on training, at the cost of education.

Education Diary: Save Adult Education campaign

Wed, 21 May 2008 23:00:01 GMT

What is going on in adult education? As we reported in this supplement earlier in May, the Government's promotion of "informal adult learning" is placing traditional, non-vocational evening classes under threat. But reading the letter from skills minister David Lammy, you wouldn't know it.

Voluntary work helps your community and enhances your CV

Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:01 GMT

When Nayema Begum, 18, applied to study a diploma in childcare at Tower Hamlets College, she did not expect to have the opportunity to educate youngsters in a local school on the dangers of smoking. But like a fast growing number of students, she is embracing volunteering with the support of her college. "Each time I leave the school, I know I've had an impact on someone's life and that I've been a role model," she says. "The whole experience has really raised my confidence."

Interview: Conservative MP John Hayes on the road to deregulation

Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:01 GMT

Most of us are familiar with the standard academic pathway. Once you've done your GCSEs, you move on to A-levels, then an undergraduate degree and possibly a further degree. What many of us are less clear about is the vocational pathway. For John Hayes MP, Shadow Minister for Vocational Education, this is a major problem.