PAL

Provider Access Policy Statement  

Provider Access Policy Statement 

Introduction 

This policy statement sets out the Trust’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at our secondary academies for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer.
This complies with the Trust’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997 and reflects current guidance from the Department for Education:
DfE Careers Guidance and Access for Education and Training Providers (Updated October 2018). 

We will adopt the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Benchmarks to develop and improve our careers provision. Further information can be read [here]. 

All pupils in Years 8–13 are entitled: 

• To find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeship 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, group discussions and taster events. 

• To understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses. 

Management of Provider Access Requests 

A provider wishing to request access should contact the relevant careers leader at each individual academy, details of which can be found by following the links above. 

For Tavistock College, please contact the careers lead: 

Mrs James Stroud
Email: j.stroud@dmatschools.org.uk 

Opportunities for Access 

A number of events, integrated into the Academy’s careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to pupils and/or their parents/carers. 

Tavistock College offers a comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme. An overview can be found in the School’s Careers Policy, available on the school website. 

Please speak to our careers lead, James Stroud, to identify the most suitable opportunity for you. 

• The school will provide a suitable space for discussions between providers and students, appropriate to the activity and in line with student timetables. All encounters will be conducted in accordance with the school’s Safeguarding Policy, which can be found on the school website. 

• The school welcomes both live and virtual engagements and will endeavour to make these accessible to students. 

• ICT and other specialist equipment will be made available to support presentations, as discussed and agreed in advance with the careers lead or a member of the team, and in line with the school’s IT Policy. 

• Providers are welcome to leave copies of prospectuses or other relevant course literature with the careers lead. These will be displayed in the Careers Area and at suitable events such as parent evenings. 

Encounters Should Include: 

• Basic information about the provider and the approved technical qualifications or apprenticeships offered 

• Information about potential career paths related to those qualifications 

• A summary of the learning and/or training provided 

• Opportunities for students to ask questions and receive answers 

Examples of Recent Encounters Between Providers and Students at TCC 

Tavistock College works with several FE and HE providers, including Plymouth City College, Duchy College, University of St Mark and St John, University of Plymouth, and Exeter University.  

FE Providers: 

• Plymouth City College: Supports the increased flexibility programme and diplomas. 

• Duchy College: Supports the increased flexibility programme and diplomas.  

HE Providers: 

• University of St Mark and St John: Partners with Tavistock College. 

• University of Plymouth: Partners with Tavistock College. 

• Exeter University: Partners with Tavistock College. 

• Local FE colleges delivered assemblies to all Year 11 students – Autumn 2024 

• NSSW “Choosing the Right Level 3 Option” workshops – Year 11 – Autumn 2024 

• Mock interviews with local businesses – Year 11 – Autumn 2023 

• DMAT Careers Fair at the Asbury Hotel – Years 9–11 – Spring 2024 

• ASK Apprenticeships and Technical Education Virtual Assembly – Years 10 and 11 – Spring 2025 

Coming Up in Summer 2025: 

• University visits – Year 10 

• Work Experience Week – Year 10 

• Individual guidance meetings with Future Smart – Year 10 

• Technical Education and Training Workshop – Year 8 

Destinations of TCC School Leavers 

The vast majority of our Year 11 leavers go on to attend local post-16 colleges, such as , Duchy, City College, and Callywith.

An increasing number of learners are now moving on to apprenticeship programmes through local businesses. 

Grounds for Granting and Refusing Access 

All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. We greatly value the support of providers in enhancing our careers programme.
A key part of our offer includes our annual mock interview day for Year 11 students and the Year 10 work experience programme.