[Provider Access Policy]

Introduction

This statement sets out the arrangements at King James I Academy for managing requests from education and training providers to access pupils for the purpose of providing information about their technical education, training and apprenticeship opportunities.

This policy is written in accordance with the school’s statutory duty under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997, known as the Baker Clause, and reflects the Department for Education’s guidance on careers education and provider access.

Student Entitlement

All students in Years 8 to 13 at King James I Academy are entitled to:

• Receive information about the full range of education and training pathways available at each transition point, including technical education qualifications, apprenticeships and higher education.
• Hear from a wide range of local, regional and national providers about the opportunities they offer, including further education colleges, training providers, universities and employers.
• Understand how to apply for academic and technical pathways and the progression routes they can lead to.

Provider Encounters

The Academy ensures that provider encounters are built into the careers programme and delivered at meaningful points throughout a student’s journey:

• First key phase (Years 8–9):
  A minimum of two mandatory provider encounters.
• Second key phase (Years 10–11):
  A minimum of two mandatory provider encounters.
• Third key phase (Years 12–13):
  At least two further encounters, particularly supporting students who have not yet confirmed their next steps.

Provider encounters may take place through assemblies, careers fairs, curriculum-linked sessions, small group workshops, employer events and taster activities. These encounters take place during the normal school day and are planned to complement the wider careers programme.

What Providers Can Expect

When granted access, providers will be given a reasonable time and opportunity to:

• Share information about their organisation and the education or training opportunities they offer, including approved technical qualifications and apprenticeships.
• Explain the progression routes and career outcomes linked to their provision.
• Provide insight into what learning or training with their organisation is like, including opportunities to meet staff, students or apprentices where appropriate.
• Answer questions from students to support informed decision-making.

Management of Provider Access Requests

Requests for access from education and training providers are welcomed and managed to ensure they are appropriate, purposeful and aligned with the needs of students.

Providers wishing to request access should contact the Academy and direct their request to the Careers Lead. Requests should outline the nature of the provision, the intended audience, and the preferred format of engagement.

All requests will be considered in line with the school’s safeguarding requirements, careers programme priorities and the needs of students.