Welcome to this month’s round-up of insights and resources!
- Insights: From Artificial Intelligence to pedagogy and inspection, these blogs help you get a clearer picture of what’s going on across the sector.
- Develop v3 (with AI) is coming soon to the Mesma software platform!
- Apprenticeship professional development
- The Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme comes to an end
We have also rounded up our pick of news from the FE and skills sector.
Grab a cuppa and an Easter Egg, have a read, and as always, please feel free to share with your friends and colleagues.
Ofsted EIF Updates – Pedagogy and Inclusion
We are getting a clearer picture of what inspection under the revised Ofsted framework looks like. By analysing reports from early March, our Technical Education Specialist, Annie Coles, has highlighted key areas: pedagogy and inspection.
Follow the links below to learn more:
Confidence Before Capability: Why the North East’s AI Future Depends on Inclusion
AI is no longer a future challenge for the skills system. It’s already changing how organisations work and how learners prepare for jobs.
As the North East positions itself as an AI Growth Zone, the question isn’t just about technical capability. It’s whether the region can build the confidence and inclusion needed to share opportunity.
From digital skills and diversity to employer clarity and ethical guardrails, one message is clear. AI will shape the North East’s economy — but who benefits depends on deliberate, joined-up action. Find out more from our Partnerships Specialist, Ruth Joseph
Develop V3 is on its way in the Mesma software
It will soon be time for the fourth release to the Mesma software on the 2025/26 roadmap.
“What is Develop?” I hear you ask… Develop underpins the effective and efficient management and support of observations.
For many providers, observations support quality assurance and improvement through the development of teaching and assessment practice as well as for employer engagement, customer support etc.
Observations are…
- A horse in your quality stable
- A tool in your quality toolbox
- A delicious ingredient in your quality pizza
So when Develop is released it will come as one unified product on the Mesma platform. Which includes…
Evaluate – a full quality assurance and improvement diagnostic tool that helps providers identify strengths and weaknesses collaboratively, quickly and with confidence.
Track – now more than just a quality improvement planner. The new name reflects how for some time, users have been adapting this part of Mesma for the management and oversight of things that matter enough to pay attention to over time.
With each release, you’ll see a new fresh look and intuitive feel on the screens, as well as Mia the AI assistant and AI analytics incorporated to supercharge and speed up quality practices. Be the first to see Develop in its latest release.
Upcoming SDN Mesma Group professional development:
Our professional development will take you through the details of a topic and move you from theory to practice. If you are looking for multiple places, we offer group bookings and can also host bespoke sessions tailored to your organisation’s needs:
- Practically Implement the 2026-27 Apprenticeship Funding Rules | Apr-Jul
- Apprenticeship Compliance for Leaders – CPD Accredited | 15 Apr
- FREE The Inclusion Index: What Are the Reports Telling Us? | 16 April
- Claiming Apprenticeship Learning Support Funding | Starts 17 April
- Purposeful Observation: Improving Teaching and Learning | 30 Apr
- Apprenticeship Units 2026: Design and Deliver a Compliant Offer | 1 May
- Advanced Progress Review Practice | Starts 15 May
- Advanced Contextualising: Using AI to Design Meaningful Learning | 21 May
- Curriculum Design for the New Apprenticeship Landscape | 3 Jun
- Understanding Apprenticeship Financial Management | Starts 24 June
- Embedding Effective Assessment in Apprenticeships | 15 Jul
Can’t make the live date? Most sessions are recorded – register your place and we will send you the recording and/or resources once the sessions have taken place.
You can also register your interest in future dates. Visit our Professional Development page for full details.
The Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme
The Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme officially came to an end on Tuesday, 31 March. We are proud to have been a part of delivering free, insightful, high-quality sessions to the sector over the last few years.
You’ll be happy to know that free-to-access resources from this programme will continue to be available online via the ETF website, including:
- On-demand courses
- Resources and case studies
- The new SME Essentials programme
Top News from the FE and Skills Sector
Inclusive Pathways: Opening up Industry for Neurodivergent Talent – Alison Morris, Director of Policy at Skills Federation talks to member organisations ECITB and Lantra, to explore how industries are making career pathways more inclusive for young people – especially neurodivergent learners.
According to international metrics for children’s numeracy and maths performance, England typically ranks above average. Employment opportunities in highly numerate industries such as AI, finance, tech and pharmaceutical development increase at a faster rate than in industries with a medium or low requirement for numeracy. How does this compare with adults?
When Neurodiversity Adjustments Are Seen as Perks: Rethinking Culture in FE. Workplace needs assessments are increasing. Conversations about ADHD, autism, dyslexia and mental health are more open. Access to Work funding is better understood.
More than 22,000 devices have been donated to digitally excluded people across the UK as part of the IT Reuse for Good Charter with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) and other partners.
The first Connect to Work services in Wales have opened their doors, marking a major milestone in the delivery of the Government’s Pathways to Work initiative — its long‑term plan to reform benefits and employment support and help disabled people who can work with the right support into good jobs.
Update on Post-16 Qualifications
The Government has published its response to the consultation on post 16 Level 3 and below pathways. Building on the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper and the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, this response sets out the DfE’s vision for a reformed 16–19 qualifications system in which every young person has a clear choice of pathways that support them to succeed in work and in life.
This marks the biggest reform to vocational education in a generation. Here’s a quick summary:
V Levels
The new flagship vocational qualification will sit alongside A Levels and T Levels. The same size as an A Level, they can be taken alongside them to create a broad study programme appropriate for a young person who wishes to progress to higher-level study without specialising in one particular area. V Levels will be linked to occupational standards, strengthening employer confidence in vocational qualifications and helping to meet the country’s long-term skills needs.
T Levels
T Levels are expanding, with new subjects to include Care Services and Sports, Fitness and Exercise Science from 2028. Further changes to existing T Levels will enhance accessibility for students, manageability for providers and support scalability. A new delivery framework for industry placements will be introduced, with more scope for providers to determine the structure of the placement in a way that works best for their students. Updated delivery guidance, reflecting this new framework, will be published by June 2026.
Level 2 pathways
New pathways announced for young people who need to continue learning Level 2 at age 16. They will have a choice of the Further Study pathway, which will help them to progress into a study programme of A Levels, V Levels, or T Levels – or the Occupational pathway, a two-year programme that supports progression to a good, skilled job.
New Consultation: Level 1 English and maths
The Government has also launched a consultation on new Level 1 English and maths qualifications for 16–19 year olds with prior GCSE attainment at grade 2 or below. These new qualifications will consolidate foundational skills and support students to achieve a GCSE grade 4/C or higher, ensuring that they only resit GCSEs when ready to make progress.
Next steps: The government will publish an implementation action plan by June this year with further details. You can also attend a sector webinar on 18th March, which explains what the reforms mean for providers and stakeholders, and provides an opportunity to ask further questions.