Employers and Providers

Ralph Allen School Provider Access Policy

Policy Statement Introduction

This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

Pupil Entitlement

All pupils in Years 7 - 11 are entitled to

● find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;

● hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;

● understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

For pupils of compulsory school age these encounters are mandatory and there will be a minimum of two encounters for year 7 to 9 pupils and two encounters for year 10 to 11 pupils.

For pupils in the sixth form, they will be offered two meaningful encounters in years 12/13

These provider encounters will be scheduled during the main school hours and the provider will be given a reasonable amount of time to, as a minimum:

● Share information about both the provider and the approved technical education qualification and apprenticeships that the provider offers

● Explain what career routes those options could lead to

● Provide insights into what it might be like to learn or train with that provider (including the opportunity to meet staff and pupils from the provider) ● Answer questions from pupils.

Meaningful provider encounters

One encounter is defined as one meeting/session between pupils and one provider. We are committed to providing meaningful encounters to all pupils using the ‘Making it Meaningful’ checklist

Previous providers

In previous terms/years we have invited the following providers from the local area to speak to our pupils:

• General FE College St Brendan’s

• Bath College

Destinations of our pupils

Last year our year 11 pupils moved to a range of providers in the local area after school:

• General FE College

• ITP

• Apprenticeship provider

• Sixth form

Management of Provider Access Requests

Procedure

A provider wishing to access should contact Mrs Sue Rogers Teacher in Charge of Careers Education 01225 832936

● s.rogers@palladianacademytrust.com

It is noted that this policy, and any provider access is managed in line with the School’s Safeguarding Policy.

Opportunities for access

The school offers the six provider encounters required by law (marked in bold text) and a number of additional events, integrated into the school careers programme. We will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to pupils or their parents or carers.

Please speak to our Careers Teacher to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.

Year Autumn Term, Spring Term, Summer Term

7, 8, 9

• Assembly programme 
• Local University project link
• Small group opportunities 
• Link with Enterprise adviser
• Career networking event
• Year 9- KS4 Options event 

10, 11

• Assembly programme
• Small group opportunities 
• University links
• Year 10 Work Experience
• Career networking event 
• Link with Enterprise adviser 
• Visit to a University

Premises and Facilities

The School will make the main hall, dining hall, classrooms, library or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity.

The School will make available Audio Visual and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Work Related Learning Coordinator, Careers Teacher or wider team.

Meaningful online engagement is also an option and we are open to providers that are able to provide live online engagement with our pupils.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at main reception. It will be stored in the Careers Office which is available to all pupils at lunch and break times.

Complaints

Any complaints with regards to provider access can be raised following the school complaints procedure or directly with The Careers & Enterprise Company via [email]