External Providers - Provider access

Working with Ferryhill School

Ferryhill School welcomes opportunities to work with external organisations that can support our students' careers education, progression and preparation for future education, training and employment.

Ferryhill School serves Years 7–11. We deliver the first 4 statutory encounters (Y8–11). Post-16 providers continue delivery of the remaining 2 encounters at college/sixth form. 

We work with a range of partners, including:

• further education colleges and sixth forms

• universities and higher education providers

• apprenticeship and training providers

• employers and industry professionals

• careers and employability organisations

• outreach projects and other appropriate organisations.

Our aim is to ensure that students hear directly from a broad and diverse range of organisations and understand the full range of academic, technical, vocational, apprenticeship and employment pathways available to them.

Opportunities to Work with Our Students

External providers may be invited to support activities including:

• assemblies and year group presentations

• careers fairs and progression events

• workshops and interactive activities

• employer encounters

• apprenticeship and technical education sessions

• curriculum-linked careers activities

• workplace and employability activities

• small group sessions

• post-16 progression activities

• parent/carer information events.

Activities should be appropriate for the age and needs of students and should provide meaningful opportunities for students to learn, ask questions and understand how the information relates to future pathways.

Provider Access

Ferryhill School meets its statutory duties under Provider Access Legislation, including the mandatory encounters with providers of technical education and apprenticeships that apply to students during Years 8–11.

Full details of our statutory arrangements, including:

• student entitlement

• statutory provider encounters

• requesting access

• the content of statutory encounters

• premises and facilities

• safeguarding

• the Provider Access complaints procedure are contained within the school's Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) Policy.

View our CEIAG Policy & Provider Access Statement 

Requesting Access to Students

Providers who would like to discuss working with Ferryhill School should contact:

• Miss C Hanson – Careers Leader

• Telephone: 01740 651554

• Email: cha@ferryhill.school or careers@ferryhill.school 

When contacting us, it would be helpful to include:

• the organisation you represent

• the year group(s) you would like to work with

• the purpose and intended learning outcomes of the activity

• the type of session you are proposing

• preferred dates or times

• any room, ICT or other requirements.

Requests will be considered in relation to student need, the careers programme, curriculum commitments, staffing, safeguarding and available facilities.

We encourage providers to contact the school as early as possible so that appropriate planning and timetabling can take place. 

What We Expect from External Providers

To help ensure that activities are meaningful and appropriate, providers should:

• provide accurate and up-to-date information

• present pathways fairly and appropriately

• ensure content is suitable for the age and needs of students

• provide opportunities for questions and interaction

• agree the aims of the activity with the school in advance

• comply with Ferryhill School's safeguarding and visitor procedures

• support our commitment to equality, inclusion and high aspirations for all students.

Where appropriate, providers will be asked to complete the school's Agreement between Ferryhill School and External Contributors.

Facilities Available

Depending on the activity, Ferryhill School may be able to provide:

• the main hall

• classrooms

• private meeting spaces

• ICT facilities for presentations.

Providers may also supply appropriate prospectuses, course information or other careers resources for students.

Working Together

We value the contribution that employers, education providers and training organisations make to our careers programme.

By working together, we can help students:

• explore opportunities • understand different pathways • develop employability skills • make informed decisions • prepare successfully for their next steps

If you would like to discuss how your organisation could support Ferryhill School's careers programme, please contact the Careers Leader using the details above.

Employer engagement is an important part of preparing students for the future.

By working with employers, college, sixth forms, apprenticeship providers, training providers, higher education establishments students are able to gain a better understanding of the skills and knowledge required in the modern workplace.