Welcome to the monthly roundup from the SDN Mesma Group.
- Free webinar: From Reform to Reality
- What 281 report cards tell us about apprenticeships
- Understanding Apprenticeship Financial Management
- AI Readiness Starts in the Boardroom
- Upcoming professional development: From theory to practice.
- Sector Supplier Awards
We also share our regular round-up of highlights from the news in the FE and skills sector.
Grab a cuppa, have a read, and as always, do share with your friends and colleagues.
Free webinar: From Reform to Reality, Realising the Potential in AI and Apprenticeship Assessment
Register for free: 16th November, 12pm
This free session explores how assessment reforms and AI can help make assessment more authentic and manageable, without compromising validity, fairness or professional judgement.
What 281 report cards tell us about apprenticeships
The latest edition of our Ofsted Inspection Reports Insights includes grade tables for each provider type, quotations and the themes behind each grade. Read the report here.
Understanding Apprenticeship Financial Management – Funding, Forecasting, Costs and Budgeting
How profitable is your apprenticeship provision? Can you confidently identify your delivery costs, forecast revenue and demonstrate that your pricing is compliant?
Led by funding and compliance specialist David Lockhart-Hawkins, this 3-part webinar series gives you the knowledge and practical tools to do just that. Explore funding, costs, pricing, forecasting and profitability, with a suite of financial planning resources to use afterwards. Join the in-depth webinar series | Starting 4 Dec
AI Readiness Starts in the Boardroom
In our work with boards, quality teams and compliance leads, AI is now part of daily practice. However, we’ve found that in most organisations, the human check of output is informal or unclear.
AI Clear founder Stuart Rimmer built CLEAR™, a board-level AI governance framework for further education and skills, to help boards evidence how they direct and answer for AI.
Upcoming professional development: From theory to practice.
Please note all funding and compliance professional development has been updated in line with the new 2026-27 apprenticeship funding rules.
Live PD:
- Claiming apprenticeship LSF with confidence | 12 Nov
- Being an Effective Ofsted Nominee under the Revised EIF | 25 Nov-3 Dec
- Preparing for Apprenticeship Assurance Review & Audit in 2027 | 30 Nov
- Apprenticeship Units 2026: Design and Deliver a Compliant Offer | 1 Dec
- Understand Apprenticeship Financial Management | 4-10 Dec
- Improve Teaching and Learning Through Purposeful Observation | 7-14 Dec
- Apprenticeship Compliance for Leaders | Starts 19-26 Jan
- Navigating the 2026/27 Apprenticeship Subcontracting Rules | 10 Feb
We also offer group bookings and bespoke sessions tailored to your needs.
Can’t make the live date? Most sessions are recorded. Register your place, and we’ll send you the recording and/or resources after the live delivery date.
On-demand:
Top News from the FE and Skills Sector
Sector Supplier Awards:
These awards recognise suppliers who genuinely support, strengthen and move the apprenticeships sector forward. Make nominations by 30 November.
Catch up on our Ofsted Inspection Reports Insights:
- What 281 Ofsted report cards tell us about apprenticeships
- Professional Development and Teaching Quality
- Inclusion
- Curriculum, Teaching and Training Quality Analysis
Updates from across the sector:
- Are We Training Nominees to Pass Inspection or to Lead Quality?
- Turning opportunity into outcomes: Why delivery matters for youth employment
- DWP Employer views on hiring young people survey report
- Anti-fraud lessons rolled out across schools in England
- Budget 2026: Announcements for Skills, Apprenticeships and Young People
- Accessible assessment: a strategic imperative for school and college leaders
- Learning for Life: How Employers are Building a Culture of Lifelong Learning