Provider Access Policy
"Inspire, Inform & Prepare every student at every stage"
King Ethelbert School: Provider Access Policy
Introduction
This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at 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 7-13 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). For pupils in the 'third key phase' (year 12 to 13), particularly those that have not yet decided on their next steps, there are two more provider encounters available during this period, which are optional to attend.
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 start and pupils from that 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:
Transport for London - Degree Apprenticeships - Jessica Sterling
As part of our Exhibition (Careers) Fair, where ALL year 8 - 13 students attend, we regularly have over 45 organisations offering employment and training opportunities, apprenticeships, higher and further education (academic and technical qualifications) including Mears, On Architecture, WW Martin, London Institute of Banking and Finance, Lloyds Bank, Mercy Ships, Broadstairs College (L2/L3 qualifications including T Levels), Canterbury Christ Church University, Blaze Signs, UCA, Fashion, RDDS Avionics, Summit Aviation, Barretts Motor Group, Caremark Thanet, NHS, Hair Station Academy, Your Leisure, 2gether Support Solutions, Inclusive Sport, Briar House Veterinary Surgery, Kent Law Society, Canterbury Combined Law Courts, RAF, Kent Police, Royal Navy, Army, Cyberfort, Thanet Earth, EBP Kent - Careers
East Kent Business Partnership - Anne Cameron - independent careers advisor - offering individual impartial careers advice on local providers and apprenticeships including King Ethelbert School, other local 6th form schools, EKC Canterbury, Broadstairs, Dover, Ashford, Folkestone Colleges, Hadlow College, Independent training providers such as Liberty and Runway Training, KT&A
Kent UCAS Fair - range of universities from across the country, including academic, vocational and technical qualifications offered
Destinations of our pupils
Last year our year 11 pupils moved to a range of providers in the local area after school:
Y11 in to Y12 Sept 23 King Ethelbert School students
Education (sixth form) 82 (57%)
Education (college/FE) 57 (40%)
Employment 0
Apprenticeships 7 (4.9%)
Y13 2023 leavers
University 21 (44%)
Apprenticeships 4 (9%)
Employment 12 (25%)
Gap year 7 (15%)
Management of provider access requests
Procedure
A provider wishing to request access should contact
Catherine Edwards
Careers Leader
Telephone: 01843 831999
Email: catherineedwards@kingethelbert.kent.sch.uk
Opportunities for access
The school offers the six provider encounters required by law 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. This careers programme for the academic year can be found on the Careers 'home' page.
Please speak to our Careers Leader Catherine Edwards to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.
Premises and facilities
The school will make the main hall, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider 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 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 students
Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at the Careers Resource Centre in M7. The Careers Resource Centre is available to all students at lunch and break times.
Complaints:
Any complaints with regards to provider access can be raied flollowing the schools complaints procedure or directly with The Careers & Enterprise Company via provideraccess@careersandenterprise.co.uk
Approval and review
Approved by Governors at Curriculum and Standards Committee
Next review: October 2024
Signed: Vicky Crawley Chair of Governors Mr T Sellen Head teacher