Provider Access Policy

Introduction

The Rural Enterprise Academy:

Provider Access Policy (DRAFT)

This policy statement will be integrated into a wider careers plan or strategy for our school.

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 8 to 13 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;
to 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;
to 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 pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 to 9) and two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 to 11).

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 .

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

Previous providers

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

BIMM University
Blakemores
Caterpillar
E-Quality Training Limited
Elite Ecology
Harper Adams University
Higher Horizons
In-Comm Training
Independent Careers Advisor (Mrs. Jackie Flint)
JCB
Metro Alliance
Rease Heath College
The British Army
The Royal Navy
The Royal Air Force
South Staffordshire College
Stafford College (NSCG)
Staffordshire Rangers Scholarship Programme
Staffordsire Police
Staffordshire University
Wolgarston Sixth Form
Work Experience Support Services - Joanne Shalloe

Destinations of our pupils

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

Cannock College	7%
Leamington College	2%
Newcastle College	2%
Newport Girls Sixth Form	2%
PTS Group in Stafford	2%
Reaseheath College	*12%*
Rodbaston College	*23%*
Shrewsbury College	2%
Stafford College	*30%*
Stafford Rangers Academy	2%
Tamworth College	5%
Telford College	2%
Walsall College	2%
Walton High School	2%
Wolgarston Sixth Form	2%

With these providers, our year 11 pupils have progressed to participate in the following areas:

A Levels	18%
Apprenticeship	11%
T Levels	3%
Vocational Courses	68%

Management of provider access requests

Procedure - A provider wishing to request access should contact our Careers Co-ordinator, Mr Singh, by telephone on 01785 333360 or via email to enquiries@ruralenterpriseacademy.com

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 Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.

	Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Year 8	Rodbaston College Talk	Careers Fair	Stafford College Talk
Year 9	Rodbaston College Talk	Careers Fair	Stafford College Talk
Year 10	Rodbaston College Talk	Careers Fair	Stafford College Talk
Year 11	Rodbaston College Talk	Careers Fair

Premises and facilities

The school will make the main hall, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and pupils, as appropriate to the activity. The school will also make available AV and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Leader or a member of their 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 the Careers Resource Centre, which is managed by the school librarian. The Resource Centre is available to all pupils at lunch and break times.

Complaints:

Any complaints with regard to provider access can be raised following the school complaints procedure or directly with The Careers & Enterprise Company via provideraccess@careersandenterprise.co.uk

Approval and review

Approved [date] by Governors at Curriculum and Standards Committee

Next review: [date]

Signed: [name] Chair of Governors [name] Head teacher

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

Complaints:

Any complaints with regards to provider access can be raised following the school complaints procedure or directly with The Careers & Enterprise Company via provideraccess@careersandenterprise.co.uk

Approval and review

Approved [date] by Governors at Curriculum and Standards Committee

Next review: [date]

Signed: [name] Chair of Governors [name] Head teacher