As funding pressures mount and oversight gaps widen, the long-term future of bootcamps depends on better accountability and sustained quality Like many skills initiatives over the past three decades, the history of skills bootcamps in England has been mixed. Conceived during the pandemic, bootcamps were designed as short, intensive courses aligned with employer demand. They […]
Kerry Boffey of FIN shares best practice to show that data, if monitored regularly and acted upon, can be transformational for a provider. In our sector, data is more than just compliance; it’s the evidence of impact. When provision is complex, metrics alone won’t tell the full story. But if we’re honest, every year the […]
Kerry identifies weak oversight as a common thread behind institutional failure. External governors should set clear expectations for sustainable improvement. In further education (FE) and skills provision, the term governance often conjures images of formal processes, structural diagrams and polished board reports. But the real engine of institutional success lies not in procedural compliance, but […]
We’re backing Ofsted’s reforms – but unresolved risks include inconsistent grading and the challenge of defining ‘exemplary’ practice The latest Ofsted reforms mark a turning point in the way providers are evaluated, with initiatives like the five-day notice period for Ofsted inspections and the new Ofsted report card format being widely welcomed. However, the Fellowship […]
Following consultation from FIN members through working groups and surveys, FIN submitted our response to Ofsted’s consultation on 28th April 2025. We are proud to be a voice for our members, shaping the way Ofsted inspects education in the FE and Skills sector. Please read our full submission below. Improving the Way Ofsted Inspects Education […]
There’s already evidence of employers favouring over-19s so we must look now at improving the functional skills offer for 16-18s. After the initial euphoria following the government’s announcement about the removal of mandatory functional skills qualifications for adult apprentices, the reality has set in. While framed as a success, the decision raises several concerns. Is this a […]
It was July last year when we at the Fellowship of Inspection Nominees started hearing complaints from members (mostly judged good or outstanding by Ofsted) that their funding for 2024-25 was under threat. The Education and Skills Funding Agency had instructed them to stop taking on new apprentices for certain programmes. In some cases providers […]
The Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (FIN) secured another major policy win this week when @Ofsted announced as part of its reforms that every school in England will be asked to nominate a senior staff member to “work closely with the inspection team” in addition to the headteacher. This followed Ofsted crediting FIN in its Big […]
Ofsted’s reforms could yet prove successful if the inspectorate is able to learn from its own best practice and get its silos communicating with each other. Ofsted’s pre-Christmas announcement that it will start trialling ‘new approaches’ to inspection this month before its report card consultation opens was not universally welcomed. But if Ofsted can learn from it – and […]
FIN members are sharing with each other which AI tools really make a difference. The focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the sector has largely been on the benefits to the learner with some attention as well on the business efficiency advantages for the provider, but how much attention has been given to its potential […]
Email: info@fin-online.org.uk
Company Number: 10850428.
VAT Registration Number: 279480555.
Longdon Hall, Longdon on Tern, Telford TF6 6LE
Copyright © Fellowship of Inspection Nominees by Life Design Group
Our website uses cookies to provide you with a good browsing experience and to improve our website. For further information, view our Cookie & Privacy Policy.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your data is handled in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).