Provider Access Policy Statement (PALs)

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. 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.

A number of events throughout the school year will offer providers an opportunity to speak to parents/carers and students about their Careers and pathways, for examples assemblies and Information evenings. Times and dates of these events can be found on the school’s website.

Access arrangements for provider for premises and facilities:

External agencies will be provided with suitable and appropriate facilities including access to required IT equipment, guest wifi access, rooms, required furniture and a break out room. Any special requirements for the delivery of the careers provision must be requested at least 7 days in advance. 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 Careers Leader and Senior Leadership. Requests may be refused if:

• they impinge on students’ 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

Schools and colleges have a responsibility to set students on the path that will secure the best outcome which will enable them to progress in education and work and give employers the highly skilled people they need. That means schools and colleges must act impartially, in line with their statutory duty or contractual requirement, and not show bias towards any route, be that academic or technical. We promote a full range of technical options.

The updated provider access legislation (PAL) specifies schools must provide at least six encounters for all their students:

• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend

• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend

• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on, but optional for pupils to attend

The new legislation will become a key mechanism to further help learners understand and take-up, not just apprenticeships, but wider technical education options such as T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.

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 qualifications and apprenticeships that the provider offers

• explain what career options for these routes 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 about the provider or approved technical educational qualifications and apprenticeships

Encounters will take part of the normal hours of the school day that is from 8.40am – 3.20pm.

As part of our careers programme, we will consider requests from approved training, apprenticeship, technical and vocational education providers to speak to our students. In addition, Ashmole Academy will approach these providers directly in order to plan and organise these encounters. These may be in the form of school assemblies, webinars, parents’ evenings and careers engagements events.

As well as requests, a number of events that are integrated into the careers programme at Ashmole will offer students meaningful encounters with approved training, apprenticeship, technical and vocational education providers which meet the requirements of the Provider Access Legislation.

All requests made by providers should be made at least a month in advance of the expected session. Requests by providers should be sent to Mr Louca:

Mr Louca, Lead for Careers Provision

Careers@ashmoleacademy.org                    Tel: 0208 361 2703 ext.: 2221

Please complete the table below and forward it in an email to Mr Louca

Name of provider
Contact name and details
Proposed date, time and length of session
Aims and objectives of the session including the year group
Proposed format, timings and duration of the session. What equipment would be required if so?
Support required from Ashmole Academy
Which of the Gatsby Benchmarks relate to the session?