Billy Camden
@billycamden.bsky.social
Deputy editor at @feweek.bsky.social - reporting on further education, skills and apprenticeships. Story tips: [email protected]
Reposted by Billy Camden
Great scoop by @billycamden.bsky.social.
In my recent report for the @smfthinktank.bsky.social (bit.ly/3DXrd2S), I called for a ban on uni graduates taking up these Level 7 apprenticeships.
An 'under 21' approach would have a similar effect and similar trade offs + still lots of unhappy punters.
In my recent report for the @smfthinktank.bsky.social (bit.ly/3DXrd2S), I called for a ban on uni graduates taking up these Level 7 apprenticeships.
An 'under 21' approach would have a similar effect and similar trade offs + still lots of unhappy punters.
Exclusive: Ministers are set to row back on plans to remove public funding from all level 7 apprenticeships and include an exemption for young people aged 16 to 21, FE Week understands feweek.co.uk/phillipson-t...
Phillipson to exempt young people from level 7 apprenticeships funding axe
Education secretary makes ‘important concession’ amid backlash from other government departments
feweek.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Great scoop by @billycamden.bsky.social.
In my recent report for the @smfthinktank.bsky.social (bit.ly/3DXrd2S), I called for a ban on uni graduates taking up these Level 7 apprenticeships.
An 'under 21' approach would have a similar effect and similar trade offs + still lots of unhappy punters.
In my recent report for the @smfthinktank.bsky.social (bit.ly/3DXrd2S), I called for a ban on uni graduates taking up these Level 7 apprenticeships.
An 'under 21' approach would have a similar effect and similar trade offs + still lots of unhappy punters.
Reposted by Billy Camden
🚨 Early win 🚨
Laleh, the learner quoted who paid a 'discounted' fee out of fear she'd have to pay the full amount, has been contacted by CoGrammar within hours of our article being published to say she can expect a full discount
Laleh, the learner quoted who paid a 'discounted' fee out of fear she'd have to pay the full amount, has been contacted by CoGrammar within hours of our article being published to say she can expect a full discount
A truly shocking case. Students on fully funded DfE bootcamps left terrified the bailiffs would come after their provider tried charging up to £4,950k
The attempt came after DfE suspended payments and terminated the firm's £20m+ contracts
Refunds have been promised plus a £25 'goodwill payment'...
The attempt came after DfE suspended payments and terminated the firm's £20m+ contracts
Refunds have been promised plus a £25 'goodwill payment'...
Exclusive: An international company that raked in millions of pounds to run online coding bootcamps in England tried to charge learners for training that was supposed to be fully funded by the government
March 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
🚨 Early win 🚨
Laleh, the learner quoted who paid a 'discounted' fee out of fear she'd have to pay the full amount, has been contacted by CoGrammar within hours of our article being published to say she can expect a full discount
Laleh, the learner quoted who paid a 'discounted' fee out of fear she'd have to pay the full amount, has been contacted by CoGrammar within hours of our article being published to say she can expect a full discount
A truly shocking case. Students on fully funded DfE bootcamps left terrified the bailiffs would come after their provider tried charging up to £4,950k
The attempt came after DfE suspended payments and terminated the firm's £20m+ contracts
Refunds have been promised plus a £25 'goodwill payment'...
The attempt came after DfE suspended payments and terminated the firm's £20m+ contracts
Refunds have been promised plus a £25 'goodwill payment'...
Exclusive: An international company that raked in millions of pounds to run online coding bootcamps in England tried to charge learners for training that was supposed to be fully funded by the government
Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps
An international company that raked in millions of pounds to run online coding bootcamps in England tried to charge learners for training that was supposed to be fully funded by the government. An FE…
feweek.co.uk
March 7, 2025 at 10:13 AM
A truly shocking case. Students on fully funded DfE bootcamps left terrified the bailiffs would come after their provider tried charging up to £4,950k
The attempt came after DfE suspended payments and terminated the firm's £20m+ contracts
Refunds have been promised plus a £25 'goodwill payment'...
The attempt came after DfE suspended payments and terminated the firm's £20m+ contracts
Refunds have been promised plus a £25 'goodwill payment'...
I spy @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social in this morning’s Playbook
Read his great story here 👉 schoolsweek.co.uk/lower-your-t...
Read his great story here 👉 schoolsweek.co.uk/lower-your-t...
February 13, 2025 at 8:48 AM
I spy @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social in this morning’s Playbook
Read his great story here 👉 schoolsweek.co.uk/lower-your-t...
Read his great story here 👉 schoolsweek.co.uk/lower-your-t...
Reposted by Billy Camden
I am in no way surprised to see the CEO role given to civil servants.
Remember when IFATE twice failed to find anyone external who was willing to take on the CEO role, given what happened to its predecessor (UKCES)?
History repeats itself....
Remember when IFATE twice failed to find anyone external who was willing to take on the CEO role, given what happened to its predecessor (UKCES)?
History repeats itself....
A tech industry leader and a former DfE permanent secretary have been selected to lead Skills England as chair and vice chair
And two job-sharing civil servants will take the reins as joint CEOs of the new agency
feweek.co.uk/tech-exec-an...
And two job-sharing civil servants will take the reins as joint CEOs of the new agency
feweek.co.uk/tech-exec-an...
Tech exec and ex-DfE perm sec to lead Skills England
Phil Smith and David Bell named chair and vice chair respectively, while two senior civil servants will jobshare as CEO
feweek.co.uk
February 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
I am in no way surprised to see the CEO role given to civil servants.
Remember when IFATE twice failed to find anyone external who was willing to take on the CEO role, given what happened to its predecessor (UKCES)?
History repeats itself....
Remember when IFATE twice failed to find anyone external who was willing to take on the CEO role, given what happened to its predecessor (UKCES)?
History repeats itself....
DfE has now confirmed it will axe English and maths FSQ exit requirements for adult apprentices with immediate effect
Ministers also reveal the apprenticeship minimum duration will be reduced from 12 to 8 months from next AY #NAW2025 feweek.co.uk/english-and-...
Ministers also reveal the apprenticeship minimum duration will be reduced from 12 to 8 months from next AY #NAW2025 feweek.co.uk/english-and-...
Confirmed: English and maths pass rule for adult apprentices scrapped
Ministers also reveal the apprenticeship minimum duration will be reduced from 12 to 8 months
feweek.co.uk
February 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
DfE has now confirmed it will axe English and maths FSQ exit requirements for adult apprentices with immediate effect
Ministers also reveal the apprenticeship minimum duration will be reduced from 12 to 8 months from next AY #NAW2025 feweek.co.uk/english-and-...
Ministers also reveal the apprenticeship minimum duration will be reduced from 12 to 8 months from next AY #NAW2025 feweek.co.uk/english-and-...
Positive news for many ahead of National Apprenticeship Week feweek.co.uk/dfe-to-relax...
DfE to relax apprentice functional skills rules
Ministers expected to announce major rule change imminently
feweek.co.uk
February 7, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Positive news for many ahead of National Apprenticeship Week feweek.co.uk/dfe-to-relax...
Reposted by Billy Camden
This is a real backward step. Adult skills budget already £1bn lower than in 2010. Who will build the houses, fit the heat pumps, upgrade the infrastructure the Government says it wants?
Exclusive: DfE has warned mayors their adult education budgets will be cut as part of government savings
This means £30 million in adult skills and 'free courses for jobs' cuts coming next academic year
feweek.co.uk/fury-as-dfe-...
This means £30 million in adult skills and 'free courses for jobs' cuts coming next academic year
feweek.co.uk/fury-as-dfe-...
Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets
Combined authorities told to expect reductions in 'already deeply diminished' adult skills funding
feweek.co.uk
February 6, 2025 at 8:06 PM
This is a real backward step. Adult skills budget already £1bn lower than in 2010. Who will build the houses, fit the heat pumps, upgrade the infrastructure the Government says it wants?
Ruthless Reeves hits adult education
Big scoop from the boss 👇
Big scoop from the boss 👇
Exclusive: DfE has warned mayors their adult education budgets will be cut as part of government savings
This means £30 million in adult skills and 'free courses for jobs' cuts coming next academic year
feweek.co.uk/fury-as-dfe-...
This means £30 million in adult skills and 'free courses for jobs' cuts coming next academic year
feweek.co.uk/fury-as-dfe-...
Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets
Combined authorities told to expect reductions in 'already deeply diminished' adult skills funding
feweek.co.uk
February 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Ruthless Reeves hits adult education
Big scoop from the boss 👇
Big scoop from the boss 👇
NASUWT incredibly claims that college bosses have made 'spurious arguments' to justify not matching the school pay award
Seems so so harsh and out of touch with reality
Seems so so harsh and out of touch with reality
🗳️ Another union has launched a ballot for strike action in sixth form colleges – controversially claiming that principals have 'no excuse and no justification' for not matching the school teacher pay award
Fresh sixth form college strike ballot despite £50m pay deal
SFCA hits back as NASUWT accuses principals of making ‘spurious arguments’
feweek.co.uk
January 13, 2025 at 5:54 PM
NASUWT incredibly claims that college bosses have made 'spurious arguments' to justify not matching the school pay award
Seems so so harsh and out of touch with reality
Seems so so harsh and out of touch with reality
Reposted by Billy Camden
🆕 T Level results data for individual colleges will be made public this year for the first time – but an overall attainment measure for the new qualifications has been delayed
T Level results to be published for individual colleges for first time
But a planned overall attainment measure has been delayed
feweek.co.uk
January 13, 2025 at 1:26 PM
🆕 T Level results data for individual colleges will be made public this year for the first time – but an overall attainment measure for the new qualifications has been delayed
So DfE will release £50m in 24/25 AY as a 'one-off grant' to help fund pay
Not enough to match school pay award but it has enabled SFCA to up its recommendation to 5.5% from April. Wonder whether AoC will will also amend its rec of 2.5%
Top work by SFCA challenging through judicial review
Not enough to match school pay award but it has enabled SFCA to up its recommendation to 5.5% from April. Wonder whether AoC will will also amend its rec of 2.5%
Top work by SFCA challenging through judicial review
Breaking: Ministers will release a chunk of the £300m announced at budget as a 'one-off grant' to help colleges fund teacher pay rises
Follows huge sector backlash over last summer's snub and judicial review threat
Follows huge sector backlash over last summer's snub and judicial review threat
DfE to release £50m in 2024/25 to help fund FE teacher pay
'One-off' grant to be made available in April
feweek.co.uk
January 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
So DfE will release £50m in 24/25 AY as a 'one-off grant' to help fund pay
Not enough to match school pay award but it has enabled SFCA to up its recommendation to 5.5% from April. Wonder whether AoC will will also amend its rec of 2.5%
Top work by SFCA challenging through judicial review
Not enough to match school pay award but it has enabled SFCA to up its recommendation to 5.5% from April. Wonder whether AoC will will also amend its rec of 2.5%
Top work by SFCA challenging through judicial review
Oof - big drop in GCSE English resit G4 pass rates for those taking the exam in November
Suspect it may be related to the Pearson 2.0 issue
Slight rise in maths pass rates
Suspect it may be related to the Pearson 2.0 issue
Slight rise in maths pass rates
January 9, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Oof - big drop in GCSE English resit G4 pass rates for those taking the exam in November
Suspect it may be related to the Pearson 2.0 issue
Slight rise in maths pass rates
Suspect it may be related to the Pearson 2.0 issue
Slight rise in maths pass rates
Top FOI and analysis from @tom-richmond.com as per
Fascinating that of the 56k apprentices last year who already hold a degree, 14k did a level 2 or 3 apprenticeship
Not sure I agree with the recommendation to ban graduates from all apprenticeships but the report is great for generating debate
Fascinating that of the 56k apprentices last year who already hold a degree, 14k did a level 2 or 3 apprenticeship
Not sure I agree with the recommendation to ban graduates from all apprenticeships but the report is great for generating debate
🎓 Calls to ban graduates from publicly funded apprenticeships have resurfaced after new data revealed over £400m in levy funds was spent on people who already held a bachelor’s degree or higher last year
1 in 6 apprenticeships taken by uni graduates
SMF report reignites calls for more radical apprenticeship spending restrictions
feweek.co.uk
January 9, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Top FOI and analysis from @tom-richmond.com as per
Fascinating that of the 56k apprentices last year who already hold a degree, 14k did a level 2 or 3 apprenticeship
Not sure I agree with the recommendation to ban graduates from all apprenticeships but the report is great for generating debate
Fascinating that of the 56k apprentices last year who already hold a degree, 14k did a level 2 or 3 apprenticeship
Not sure I agree with the recommendation to ban graduates from all apprenticeships but the report is great for generating debate
Reposted by Billy Camden
First day in the office of 2025 for Team @feweek.bsky.social
"I'm going to start my new notebook with my best handwriting" pledges @billycamden.bsky.social
"I'm going to start my new notebook with my best handwriting" pledges @billycamden.bsky.social
January 8, 2025 at 9:21 AM
First day in the office of 2025 for Team @feweek.bsky.social
"I'm going to start my new notebook with my best handwriting" pledges @billycamden.bsky.social
"I'm going to start my new notebook with my best handwriting" pledges @billycamden.bsky.social
Interesting move for ESFA chief David Withey - he'll become a college principal when the agency closes and integrates into the DfE in March feweek.co.uk/esfa-chief-d...
ESFA chief David Withey to become college principal
He will lead a college in the south west when the agency closes in March
feweek.co.uk
January 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Interesting move for ESFA chief David Withey - he'll become a college principal when the agency closes and integrates into the DfE in March feweek.co.uk/esfa-chief-d...
💥 Kicking off 2025 with a scoop on the FE teacher pay snub judicial review
SFCA teases an agreement has been reached but details kept shtum for now
Association 'looks forward to an announcement by the government soon' as % pay offer increased
Meanwhile, teacher strikes continue. Full story 👇
SFCA teases an agreement has been reached but details kept shtum for now
Association 'looks forward to an announcement by the government soon' as % pay offer increased
Meanwhile, teacher strikes continue. Full story 👇
Exclusive: Sixth form college leaders have dropped legal action against the government after ministers 'agreed to provide funding' to support a wage increase in 2024/25
SFCA drops judicial review after reaching pay 'agreement'
Sixth form college pay offer has been increased but strikes continue after union rejects the offer that is still 'inferior' to schools
feweek.co.uk
January 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
💥 Kicking off 2025 with a scoop on the FE teacher pay snub judicial review
SFCA teases an agreement has been reached but details kept shtum for now
Association 'looks forward to an announcement by the government soon' as % pay offer increased
Meanwhile, teacher strikes continue. Full story 👇
SFCA teases an agreement has been reached but details kept shtum for now
Association 'looks forward to an announcement by the government soon' as % pay offer increased
Meanwhile, teacher strikes continue. Full story 👇
Reposted by Billy Camden
It seems like an annual event for us now at Schools Week - but super chuffed to be at the British Journalism Awards
@jessjanehill.bsky.social has been shortlisted in *two* categories - and also joined by a former Schools Week legend Jess Staufenberg who’s also up for an award
🙌🙌🙌
@jessjanehill.bsky.social has been shortlisted in *two* categories - and also joined by a former Schools Week legend Jess Staufenberg who’s also up for an award
🙌🙌🙌
December 12, 2024 at 7:39 PM
It seems like an annual event for us now at Schools Week - but super chuffed to be at the British Journalism Awards
@jessjanehill.bsky.social has been shortlisted in *two* categories - and also joined by a former Schools Week legend Jess Staufenberg who’s also up for an award
🙌🙌🙌
@jessjanehill.bsky.social has been shortlisted in *two* categories - and also joined by a former Schools Week legend Jess Staufenberg who’s also up for an award
🙌🙌🙌
So on the day the government tells the sector what alternative T Level quals get a stay of execution, ministers announce they're scrapping a T Level that has been running for 3 years due to 'lack of demand'...
🪓 Ministers have scrapped a construction T Level due to a 'lack of demand' - 3 years after teaching began
feweek.co.uk/onsite-const...
feweek.co.uk/onsite-const...
Onsite construction T Level scrapped
The course has been delivered for the past 3 years
feweek.co.uk
December 12, 2024 at 2:38 PM
So on the day the government tells the sector what alternative T Level quals get a stay of execution, ministers announce they're scrapping a T Level that has been running for 3 years due to 'lack of demand'...
The boss with today's BTEC/level 3 outcome 👇
Good news or just another short-term fix? The latter IMO
Good news or just another short-term fix? The latter IMO
Labour has reversed plans to scrap technical education courses taken by tens of thousands of students
157 qualifications will be retained ... for now
157 qualifications will be retained ... for now
Breaking: 157 level 3 qualifications, including some BTECs, have been saved from the chop
feweek.co.uk/revealed-lev...
feweek.co.uk/revealed-lev...
December 12, 2024 at 2:35 PM
The boss with today's BTEC/level 3 outcome 👇
Good news or just another short-term fix? The latter IMO
Good news or just another short-term fix? The latter IMO
Big day today as ministers prepare to release the outcome of the controversial level 3/BTEC review. Keep an eye on @feweek.bsky.social for developments
December 12, 2024 at 10:07 AM
Big day today as ministers prepare to release the outcome of the controversial level 3/BTEC review. Keep an eye on @feweek.bsky.social for developments
Interesting finding from AELP today. Their report comes as ministers confirm they are considering removing functional skills exit requirements from apprenticeships
⛔ Three-quarters of apprenticeship vacancy adverts 'block' applicants that have not already achieved a grade 4 pass in GCSE English and maths, new research has found
feweek.co.uk/3-in-4-appre...
feweek.co.uk/3-in-4-appre...
3 in 4 apprenticeship adverts block applicants without English and maths
Report exposes GCSE entry conditions as ministers confirm they are considering removing functional skills exit requirements
feweek.co.uk
December 12, 2024 at 10:06 AM
Interesting finding from AELP today. Their report comes as ministers confirm they are considering removing functional skills exit requirements from apprenticeships
Reposted by Billy Camden
TL;DR
'Education has happened and some of it is very good. Except in prisons.'
'Education has happened and some of it is very good. Except in prisons.'
December 5, 2024 at 10:14 AM
TL;DR
'Education has happened and some of it is very good. Except in prisons.'
'Education has happened and some of it is very good. Except in prisons.'