Policy statement on Provider Access Legislation (January 2023, DfE Updates)

This policy statement could be integrated into a wider careers plan or strategy for your school or college.

Avanti Fields School: Provider Access Policy

Introduction

The new Provider Access Legislation (PAL) aims to develop and strengthen the existing legislation (the Baker Clause) from January 2023. 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:

  • Local Colleges
  • Local Universities
  • Emergencies Services
  • NHS
  • Armed Forces
  • STEM talks

 

Destinations of our pupils

Our first cohort of year 11 pupils will be moving to a range of providers in the local area after school in September 2024:

  • (Data to be updated in 2024)

 

Management of provider access requests:

Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should contact Mrs Rakhi Patel, Careers Lead, [email protected]

 Opportunities for access

The school offers the four 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 (Mrs R Patel) to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.