The first areas announced in the government’s wide-ranging review of the post-16 education and training sector are Birmingham/Solihull, Greater Manchester and Sheffield City.

22 FE colleges and 16 sixth form colleges will be assessed as part of the first round of post-16 education and training area reviews.

Guidance to accompany the review has now been published setting out the review process which will include an assessment of the economic and educational needs of the area and the related implications for post-16 education and training provision, including school sixth forms, sixth form colleges, further education colleges and independent providers.

The reviews will be led by steering groups consisting of chairs of governors, Local Enterprise Partnerships and local authorities, FE and Sixth Form College Commissioners and Regional Schools Commissioners.

Further area reviews will be announced shortly.