Blog
Message from Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills
Thursday 17 Sep 2020
I’m delighted to share the news that the first T Level students are starting their courses this month.
Speed read: Top 5 takeaways from “Taking decisive action on youth employment”
Wednesday 16 Sep 2020
Here are the top 5 takeaways to help you quickly understand why we are launching our ‘go the distance’ initiative, what impact it will have, and how you can get involved.
Why choose NCFE for your school?
Friday 04 Sep 2020
We will support you to develop an enhanced curriculum, so every one of your learners can reach their full potential, whatever that looks like to them.
Adapting to the new normal - supporting apprentices through COVID-19
Tuesday 21 Jul 2020
EPA Plus has been responding quickly to the changing situation presented by COVID-19 to meet the needs of providers, employers and apprentices, and we’d like to share the results of this.
Team Leader apprentice successfully completes end-point assessment with EPA Plus
Wednesday 15 Jul 2020
Tony Rossiter has successfully completed end-point assessment for the Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship standard. Tony works as a Senior Engineering Change Coordinator and decided to do the Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship at a later stage in his career because he wanted to test and demonstrate his skills in effective leadership and management.
Bold action from the Chancellor – but more is needed
Monday 13 Jul 2020
Michael Lemin, Senior Policy Specialist at NCFE, unpacks the detail of the Chancellor’s economic statement, including the positive commitments made to youth employability
Revolutionary Forces discussion paper – top takeaways
Friday 10 Jul 2020
In our recent discussion paper published in partnership with Campaign for Learning, a host of experts from across the FE, labour market economics, employment and mental health sectors explored the revolutionary forces facing the UK economy.
Adapting delivery methods following COVID-19 – what does the future hold?
Tuesday 07 Jul 2020
Learning Curve Group takes a look at the impact that COVID-19 has had on education and what this means for the future of the sector.
The FE sector needs the revolutionary post-16 white paper that has been promised now more than ever
Monday 06 Jul 2020
A paper published today by NCFE and our friends at Campaign for Learning is urging the Government to ensure that the plans outlined in the forthcoming post-16 white paper are sufficiently flexible to meet the immense changes facing the UK economy.
Adapting to the new normal - supporting staff
Tuesday 30 Jun 2020
COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on education in recent months. While we may not understand the true extent of these changes on the future of the sector, it’s critical we start forward planning, so you and your colleagues feel prepared and supported for what’s to come.
Adapting to the new normal - supporting learners
Tuesday 30 Jun 2020
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a great deal of disruption to learning, the impact of which will be felt long into the next academic year and possibly beyond.
Vocational qualifications improve your learners’ employability skills
Friday 26 Jun 2020
Ensuring young people leave their formal education ready for the workplace is a difficult task but one which providers have been challenged to deliver on as part of their careers education and commitment to employability skills.
The charities working hard to make education equal for all
Tuesday 23 Jun 2020
This pride season, we wanted to highlight the work of fellow charities who are doing amazing things in the sector to make education inclusive for students, teachers, tutors, parents and carers. We believe that education is for everyone and the more diverse we can make this space, the more we can learn and the richer our experiences will be for it.
Learning at Work Week takes to the air for 2020
Friday 22 May 2020
Employers across the UK are being invited to take part in a first-of-its-kind virtual learning event this week as Learning at Work Week returns, but with a few twists!
How to engage learners while working remotely
Thursday 14 May 2020
Keeping learners engaged while working remotely has been a key challenge for the education sector during this enforced period of lockdown.
Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week – raising awareness, encouraging conversations and showing a little kindness
Monday 11 May 2020
Once again, CACHE is getting involved in this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, an annual campaign hosted by the Mental Health Foundation.
Addressing the impact of COVID-19 on post-16 education
Thursday 16 Apr 2020
In light of the ongoing situation with COVID-19, there has been a great deal of disruption across the education sector at all levels, the impact of which will be felt long into the next academic year and possibly beyond.
Peer Tutor – online peer-to-peer support for your learners
Wednesday 08 Apr 2020
With the current COVID-19 outbreak causing uncertainty and unease across the globe and schools closed until further notice, Peer Tutor will ensure your students can continue to receive academic support and develop their knowledge from home
Managing stress inside and outside of the learning environment
Tuesday 31 Mar 2020
All of us experience some form of stress during our lives, some more regularly than others depending on our job, our day-to-day responsibilities, what’s going on in our personal lives and how we each cope with the situations we find ourselves in.
The importance of digital literacy to the future workforce
Monday 23 Mar 2020
A commonly held belief is that people who have grown up in the midst of the technological revolution don’t require formalised digital literacy skills support. However, is this really the case?
Tops tips for going green in the classroom
Wednesday 18 Mar 2020
The younger generation are more socially and environmentally aware than ever, and it seems we’re constantly being reminded about the effects our actions are having on the world around us and being encouraged to ‘do our bit’.
Encouraging Reflective Learning in the Classroom
Monday 16 Mar 2020
Reflective learning is a form of education where learners purposely and critically evaluate and analyse a learning experience, with a view to using it for self-development and/or learning.
Need for a rethink on vocational FE
Monday 16 Mar 2020
NCFE recently teamed up with Campaign for Learning to launch a new policy paper titled: ‘No 16-18 year old left behind’. FE Policy Analyst, Mick Fletcher, shares his highlights of the paper.
‘Making a Success of the National Skills Fund’ – setting the scene
Tuesday 10 Mar 2020
To help address some of the rising challenges set to impact the economy and labour market throughout the 2020s and beyond, the Conservatives promised in their General Election manifesto to introduce a National Skills Fund from 2021.
Celebrating women in business – International Women’s Day 2020
Friday 06 Mar 2020
We celebrate women’s achievements every day, but as its International Women’s Day, it gives us an excuse to shout about it!
Six ways to boost your CV for career success
Tuesday 03 Mar 2020
Sitting down to write a CV can be a stressful task, especially if it’s your first, but don’t worry! It doesn’t have to be. There are so many different ways you can boost your CV to help you stand out from the crowd and land your dream job.
Prioritise digital literacy in your school to support the future workforce
Friday 28 Feb 2020
The education committee described digital literacy in 2018 as being “crucial to the success of the fourth industrial revolution”.
NCFE and WorldSkills UK announce partnership on new Centre of Excellence project
Thursday 27 Feb 2020
NCFE and WorldSkills UK announce partnership on new Centre of Excellence project
Consulting pupils about RSHE
Monday 24 Feb 2020
Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education (RSHE) will become mandatory in schools across England from September 2020. Creating a curriculum that meets the needs of pupils is vital.
NCFE and NSN announce strategic partnership
Monday 24 Feb 2020
Educational services charity, NCFE, has announced a new strategic partnership with The Northern Skills Network (NSN).
Education and skills charity named one of the Best Not–For–Profit Organisations to Work For
Monday 24 Feb 2020
National awarding organisation and education and skills charity, NCFE, has been named one of The Sunday Times 100 Best Not–For–Profit Organisations to Work For.
Withdrawal of government funding for low volume qualifications
Friday 14 Feb 2020
The Government has issued further information on the withdrawal of funding approval from qualifications with low and no publicly funded enrolments, as part of the Level 3 and below review.
Innovative new mobile app is revolutionising access to tutoring
Tuesday 11 Feb 2020
The mobile app has been designed to create equal access to learning and provide a low cost, high quality alternative to traditional private tutoring.
NCFE qualification endorsed by top Business Travel Management company
Tuesday 11 Feb 2020
NCFE’s recently developed Level 3 Award in Business Travel has been endorsed by several business travel experts, including Clarity, part of the Portman Travel Group, which includes Elegant Resorts and If Only.
‘No 16-18 year old left behind’ – key takeaways
Tuesday 11 Feb 2020
NCFE recently teamed up with Campaign For Learning to launch a new policy paper titled: ‘No 16-18 year old left behind’.
Key ways to address online safety
Friday 07 Feb 2020
NCFE takes a look at how to ensure the online safety of children and teenagers and the dangers that teachers, parents and carers should be aware of and how you can educate young people during Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) lessons.
No 16-18 year old left behind
Thursday 06 Feb 2020
Two of the UK’s leading educational charities, NCFE and Campaign for Learning, have come together to query exactly that in their new pamphlet, titled ‘No 16-18 Year Old Left Behind’.
My apprenticeship journey – celebrating #NAW2020 with YourCode Group
Monday 03 Feb 2020
All this week (3-7 February), NCFE is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week. To mark the occasion, we reached out to some of our friends in the business community to find out about their own apprenticeship experiences.
NCFE qualification supports learners’ aspirations for career in Interactive Media
Monday 03 Feb 2020
Interactive Media students at Gillingham School in Dorset set their sights on careers in the Media and IT industries. Studying the Level 2 Technical Award in Interactive Media, the learners have gained valuable vocational skills that can be used in their future.
We’re #AllFiredUp for National Apprenticeship Week!
Monday 03 Feb 2020
Organised by the government, National Apprenticeship Week (3-7 February) is an annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships across England.
AoC Sport in the Curriculum Conference – key takeaways
Friday 31 Jan 2020
The recent Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport in the Curriculum Conference was a great opportunity to find out more about the key sport sector topics.
Tips for teachers - managing your own mental health: exercise
Wednesday 22 Jan 2020
Exercise increases blood flow and levels of dopamine, a chemical which is released during all pleasurable activities, and a lack of it has been linked to depression.
Tips for teachers - managing your own mental health: nutrition
Wednesday 22 Jan 2020
When talking about nutrition I am not necessarily talking about weight loss. Instead, I am talking about the increasing evidence that good nutrition improves mood and mental well-being.
Tips for teachers - managing your own mental health: being organised
Wednesday 22 Jan 2020
Being organised and methodical helps you control the chaos that is an inevitable part of life and helps you to remain calm in the face of challenges.
Tips for teachers - managing your own mental health: sleep
Tuesday 21 Jan 2020
When it comes to self-care, research and data implies the most important element is sleep.
Give every child the opportunity to become the person they are capable of being
Tuesday 21 Jan 2020
Matthew Burton is the head teacher at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury and appeared on Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire. Matthew has written for NCFE about making pivotal curriculum decisions on behalf of learners.
Engaging with hard to reach learners
Tuesday 21 Jan 2020
There are a whole host of reasons why you might encounter challenging students, and often, the reasons behind their behaviour aren’t entirely clear.
Tips for teachers - managing your own mental health
Monday 20 Jan 2020
The effective management of stress has been high on the agenda in schools for over a decade and stress has been identified as the most common health and safety problem in the UK.
Delivery of NCFE qualifications supported by iAchieve
Monday 20 Jan 2020
Schools across the country are using iAchieve to support the implementation and delivery of NCFE qualifications. The iAchieve online platform provides learners with an additional and alternative way of engaging with their NCFE qualification.
NCFE accredited qualifications support learners progression to university
Friday 17 Jan 2020
Abbey College Cambridge is using NCFE’s Accreditation Services to gain recognition and endorsement for their International Foundation Programmes (IFP).
Using SMART curriculum planning to help with learner success, retention and achievement
Monday 06 Jan 2020
Following nested suite programmes, like those from NCFE, can help with success, retention and achievement data by supporting learners at risk with appropriate drop off points in the year, and providing progression options for those who are excelling.
The Queen’s Speech – a view on education
Tuesday 24 Dec 2019
Her Majesty The Queen officially outlined the government’s agenda for the next five years at the State opening of parliament last week. We’ve rounded up some of the key points to take away from the world of education.
A spotlight on the general election
Monday 23 Dec 2019
The general election has dominated the media over the past few weeks. The landslide win for Boris Johnson’s Conservatives has changed the shape and power balance of parliament.
Top 10 reasons to switch to e-books
Wednesday 18 Dec 2019
While for some people, nothing will ever be able to replace the joy of curling up with a good book, it’s undeniable that there are some great benefits to e-books.
Give your child the gift of knowledge this Christmas
Monday 16 Dec 2019
What has your teenager asked for this Christmas? An Xbox? The latest iPhone? Designer clothes? What if we told you that for a fraction of the cost, you could buy them a five month headstart on their education?
Learners use bite-sized English and maths from NCFE to progress
Friday 13 Dec 2019
Learners at Darlington College are progressing to new career paths and learning opportunities thanks to bite-sized English and maths qualifications from NCFE.
5 benefits of accredited training
Friday 13 Dec 2019
Getting your internal and external training accredited can provide employers, companies and learners with a range of benefits that can add to the value and quality of your training programmes.
Preparing for January intake
Tuesday 10 Dec 2019
January intake is a great opportunity for you to help learners who’ve not been in a position to make a decision about their studies at the start of the academic year, and therefore missed the start of a programme.
General election: focus on adult education
Monday 09 Dec 2019
All three major political parties have vowed to focus on adult education over recent weeks. Below is a rundown of what has been promised, and what it means for adult learning.
Tackling the normalisation of online sexual violence in RSHE lessons
Friday 06 Dec 2019
Jan Lever, Director at Jigsaw PSHE, talks to NCFE about a new independent report into online sexual harm and the normalisation of sexual violence and how you can help to address this in school through PSHE and Relationships, Sex and Health Education, including qualifications from NCFE.
County Durham start-up disrupts tutoring market with innovative peer-to-peer learning app
Friday 06 Dec 2019
Peer Tutor provides young people with around the clock access to high-quality learning resources and tailored learning support by connecting them ‘on demand’ with a DBS checked and verified peer tutor.
Tips for teachers - what the new inspection framework means for you
Wednesday 27 Nov 2019
Ruth McGuire has worked as an education inspector and training/education consultant for nearly 20 years and has lent her expertise to NCFE to describe what the new Education Inspection Framework could mean for your school.
The change process, parents and Relationships, Sex and Health Education
Tuesday 26 Nov 2019
Consulting parents about the school Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) policy is a requirement of the new legislation which applies from September 2020.
How to interview like a pro
Monday 25 Nov 2019
Joshua Dixon is the Founder and CEO of The YourCode Group, which specialises in recruitment and talent acquisition for businesses operating across the globe. Find out more about his top tips for interviewing.
Top tips to prepare for EQA
Friday 22 Nov 2019
Jayne Foster is Lead External Quality Assurer (EQA) for the CACHE brand at NCFE, managing a team of 14 EQAs across several regions.
Focusing on mental health to improve learner outcomes and retention
Thursday 07 Nov 2019
In recent years, there’s been continued focus and press attention about young peoples’ mental health, putting it at the forefront of the minds of educators.
Using technology to transform the way you teach
Thursday 07 Nov 2019
It’s not an exaggeration to say that technology is revolutionising education making it a fantastic time to be teaching.
Providing more diverse options for learners studying English and maths qualifications
Thursday 07 Nov 2019
An article by TES recently highlighted new Department for Education data which revealed that 2 in 3 students who resit their English and maths GCSEs make no progress.
Embracing new technology in the classroom
Thursday 07 Nov 2019
NCFE takes a look at how you can embrace technology in the classroom and use it to help advance learning in vocational and academic subjects.
T Levels could change everything. Are you ready?
Thursday 07 Nov 2019
To those who work in schools, you may feel somewhat isolated from the onset of T Levels.
Beat the machines and develop creative thinking in the classroom
Monday 04 Nov 2019
Karyn Taylor, Curriculum Officer at NCFE, looks at how you can develop your pupils' creative thinking in the classroom and why machines will never take over the creative industries.
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