The FE Week Podcast

By FE Week

Education Business Training Business News

What's The FE Week Podcast about?

This brand-new service from FE Week complements the paper by bringing you engaging commentary and discussion every week for your commute, your lunch break, or wherever else you enjoy your podcasts. Hosted by FE Week editor, Shane Chowen. Shane will be joined by special guests from across the education and skills sector.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The FE Week Podcast episodes:

06.21.2022
S2 Ep5: Ofsted in the spotlight
Come and inspect the inspectorate with The FE Week Podcast! Education journalist Jess Staufenberg speaks to former inspectors, current HMIs, FE providers and staff about the role and relationship of Ofsted in FE. What is its history in the sector? How does Ofsted...
05.31.2022
S2 Ep4: New college, new country: Refugees in FE
After travelling thousands of miles, facing extremely dangerous situations, often stuck in legal limbo – refugee and asylum-seeking students arrive in the classroom. What are the stories they bring with them? What systems are they facing here? And how can FE unleash their...
05.30.2022
S2 Ep4: New college, new country: Refugees in FE
After travelling thousands of miles, facing extremely dangerous situations, often stuck in legal limbo – refugee and asylum-seeking students arrive in the classroom. What are the stories they bring with them? What systems are they facing here? And how can FE unleash their...
04.25.2022
S2 Ep3: Is there a device crisis in FE?
Is device use seriously negatively affecting student learning? How can devices be used well? And what is the situation with device poverty? Tune in to the third podcast with investigative journalist Jess Staufenberg as she chats to psychologists, staff and students on the...
03.21.2022
S2 Ep2: Disability: The hidden diversity issue?
In this episode, Jess explores disability, as an important identity to both staff and students in FE, ahead of the long-awaited SEND review.
02.21.2022
S2 Ep1: The great pay divide
Are staff struggling to make ends meet? Are they on unstable contracts? In the first of a new investigative series, journalist Jess Staufenberg takes a closer look at the state of pay in further education - where staff get on average...
12.10.2021
S1 Ep11: The Christmas episode: Top stories from 2020-21
In this episode, Shane is joined by deputy news editor Billy, commissioning editor Jess, and senior reporter Fraser to discuss their top story picks from the last year. We wish you a merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
12.08.2021
S1 Ep10: The Behaviour Management Podcast Special
In this bonus episode, FE staff on the frontline put their tough and tricky classroom scenarios to two behaviour management experts. How can a lecturer deal with a student who persistently turns up late to lessons? How to be sympathetic - but...
12.03.2021
S1 Ep9: Adult training reforms, degree apprenticeships and the new shadow education secretary
In this episode, Shane is joined by Mary Curnock Cook, chair of Pearson and former chief executive at UCAS, Eddie Playfair at the Association of Colleges and Asfa Sohail, principal at Lewisham College. Are adult training reforms happening fast enough? Are universities...
11.26.2021
S1 Ep8: Plans for higher education, adult participation in FE and Ofsted
This week Shane is joined by three guests, to cover three particularly interesting topics: Ed Reza Schwitzer, former DfE civil servant, Sue Pember, adult education guru, and Catherine Sezen at the Association of Colleges. Has the government got it right with...
11.17.2021
S1 Ep7: Association of Colleges conference special: Nadhim Zahawi, T Levels and apprenticeships
This special episode comes straight from the Association of Colleges annual conference in Birmingham, one of the biggest FE events of the year! Shane is joined by two leading principals: Sally Dicketts, chief executive at Activate Learning, and Jo Maher, chief...
11.12.2021
S1 Ep6: Industry and FE, tertiary sector reform and Lifelong Learning Week
This week Shane is joined by Stephen Evans, chief executive at the Learning and Work Institute, and Lynette Leith, vice principal at Hull College - to discuss the hot topics. What is the relationship between industry and FE in the context...
11.05.2021
S1 Ep5: Special educational needs provision, sustainability and the spending review
This week Shane is joined by David Russell, chief executive at the Education and Training Foundation, and Fiona Aldridge, head of skills insight at West Midlands combined authority - to discuss the biggest stories. Have the government's special educational needs reforms...
10.22.2021
S1 Ep4: Reaching net zero, careers guidance and academic research in FE
This week Shane is joined by college principal Ian Pryce and the chief operating officer of an independent training provider, Nicki Hay, to discuss the biggest stories. How should providers respond to climate change in the run up to COP26? Is...
10.15.2021
S1 Ep3: 'Triple whammy' college costs, BTEC campaign and Social Mobility Commission
This week Shane is joined by former DfE civil servant and adult education expert Sue Pember, and further education funding guru Julian Gravatt. How are energy costs affecting colleges? Why did the Lords get so heated this week? And has the...
10.08.2021
S1 Ep2: The Tory Party Conference, Lords 'Peer Review' the Skills Bill and the future of assessment
In our second episode, Shane is joined by exams board guru Kirstie Donnelly, from City & Guilds Group, and policy director Simon Ashworth, from the Association of Employment and Learning Providers. So - what did the Conservatives have to say on...
10.01.2021
S1 Ep1: Kickstart, 2022 assessment and minister portfolios
Listen to our first episode, Shane is joined by the Rt Hon Anne Milton and Ali Hadawi CBE.
09.28.2021
Trailer FE Week Podcast
A short trailer for the new FE Week Podcast.

What's The FE Week Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The FE Week Podcast episodes:

S2 Ep5: Ofsted in the spotlight

S2 Ep4: New college, new country: Refugees in FE

S2 Ep4: New college, new country: Refugees in FE

S2 Ep3: Is there a device crisis in FE?

S2 Ep2: Disability: The hidden diversity issue?

S2 Ep1: The great pay divide

S1 Ep11: The Christmas episode: Top stories from 2020-21

S1 Ep10: The Behaviour Management Podcast Special

S1 Ep9: Adult training reforms, degree apprenticeships and the new shadow education secretary

S1 Ep8: Plans for higher education, adult participation in FE and Ofsted

S1 Ep7: Association of Colleges conference special: Nadhim Zahawi, T Levels and apprenticeships

S1 Ep6: Industry and FE, tertiary sector reform and Lifelong Learning Week

S1 Ep5: Special educational needs provision, sustainability and the spending review

S1 Ep4: Reaching net zero, careers guidance and academic research in FE

S1 Ep3: 'Triple whammy' college costs, BTEC campaign and Social Mobility Commission

S1 Ep2: The Tory Party Conference, Lords 'Peer Review' the Skills Bill and the future of assessment

S1 Ep1: Kickstart, 2022 assessment and minister portfolios

Trailer FE Week Podcast