Management of Provider Access Requests
All students will have the opportunity to talk to and hear directly from providers of post-16 and post-18 options, including technical educational qualifications and apprenticeships. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997. Details of the Academy’s Provider Access policy is available here:
A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students and/or their parents/carers. This is outlined in the Baker Clause Statement below.
2021-22: A mixture of online and face to face based on circumstances at the time and Public Health advice.
In the first instance, requests by providers should be sent to designated Careers Leader Ms Pardoe at careers@bluecoatacademy.org
Baker Clause Policy Statement
Blue Coat Church of England Academy work with the Careers and Enterprise Company and use the Gatsby 8 Benchmarks to inform the provision of Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG).
As part of our commitment to informing students of the full range of learning and training routes available we consider requests from training providers, vocational education routes and apprenticeship providers to speak to students and will also approach these partners ourselves when planning organising key CEIAG events throughout the school year.
Opportunities for access
A number of opportunities exist within the CEIAG programme which may be suitable for providers to visit the school to speak to students. These include:
| Events | Description | Dates 2021-22 |
|---|---|---|
| WoW Wednesdays | Students opt-in to hear more from providers and employers about their role and the opportunities available. Also offers opportunity for informal Q and A for students | Every Wednesday morning throughout the year |
| Assemblies | A formal opportunity to speak to students regarding offer. Assemblies within themes and appropriate weeks relevant to students will be considered e.g. National Careers Week | Throughout the year |
| PD days | Three days each academic year the timetable is collapsed for personal development and an alternative curriculum based on PSHCE and CEIAG. A formal or informal gathering with certain year groups or students could take place at this time | December 2021 February 2022 April 2022 May 2022 |
| Careers Fair | KS3 KS4 KS5 Around transition points students have an opportunity to explore available options including technical, vocational and apprenticeship routes as well as FE and HE providers. | TBC TBC 18th November 2021 |
| Y12 Futures Week | A formal opportunity to share non-academic routes with Y12 students as part of a week of exploration in terms of available next steps and opportunities for Y12 students. | W/C 11th July 2022 |
| Y13 Post 18 Options Event | Y13 event where providers may wish to attend to inform students about their technical, vocational or apprenticeship routes. | TBC |
| Y11 into 12 Options Event | Y11 event where providers may wish to attend to inform students about their technical, vocational or apprenticeship routes. | 1st December 2021 |
| Y9 into 10 Options Event | Y9 event where providers may wish to attend to inform students about their technical, vocational or apprenticeship routes. | 27th January 2022 |
All requests should be emailed at least 6 weeks in advance of an expected date for the planned session. All requests will be given due consideration from the designated Careers Leader and Senior Leadership Team. Requests will be refused if:
- they impinge on student’s preparation for public or internal exams
- they clash with other planned school events
- the school is unable to provide staff to support the event
- rooming is unable to be found due to timetabling clashes
In the first instance, requests by providers should be sent to designated Careers Leader Ms Pardoe at careers@bluecoatacademy.org
The following policies may also be of interest to providers, they are available on the policies page of the website:
Students in years 9, 11, 12 and 13 will also have access to details of open days at 14-19 institutions, sixth form and FE colleges, universities. In addition, the independent careers advisor, Mrs C Facey will also share information about open days and courses offered by other providers in interviews with students during guidance appointments.
The school will make classrooms or a suitable meeting room available for discussions between providers and students, 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.
Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature in the learning resource centre/careers hub. The Learning Resource Centre is available to all students at lunch and break times and after school.