Introduction

This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to 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.

The Sky Academy and the Cabot Learning Federation is committed to providing all students with information about the full range of learning and training pathways that are available to them. This includes a range of colleges, universities, and other post-16 providers. We also welcome providers that enable other routes such as apprenticeships and T-levels.

Student Entitlement

In accordance with the Provider Access Legislation set out from January 2023, all our academies with students in years 8-13 will provide the following interactions as a part of their CEIAG offer:

• 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.
• To attend at least two encounters delivered by different providers by the end of year 9. This will be offered during the academy day.
• To attend at least two encounters delivered by different providers by the end of year 11. This will be offered during the academy day.

For students of compulsory school age, these encounters are mandatory and there will be a minimum of two encounters for students during the ‘First Key Phase’ (year 8 to 9), and two encounters for students during the ‘Second Key Phase’ (year 10 to 11).

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 staff and students from the provider).
• answer questions from students.

Meaningful Provider Encounters

One encounter is defined as one meeting / session between students and one provider which will be delivered to the entire year group. Providers must also facilitate a question-and-answer component. We are committed to providing meaningful encounters to all students using the Making it Meaningful checklist.

Meaningful online engagement is also an option, and we are open to providers who are able to provide live, online engagement with our students.

Destinations of Our Students

19 school leavers

Last year, our Year 11 students moved to range of providers in the local area after school:

95% in education or training (2.17% of this figure accounts for apprenticeships)

5% NEET

0% Employment without training.

Management of Provider Access Requests

Procedure

If you wish to request access to The Sky Academy, you should contact Gaby Long (gaby.long@clf.uk).

If you wish to request access to multiple academies in the Cabot Learning Federation, you should contact William Lamb, Information Governance Officer (William.Lamb@clf.uk).

Contact should be made as far in advance as possible and at least a minimum of two calendar months ahead of any dates that an academy is being asked to consider.

The academy plans a number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, that will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students and / or their parents / carers. Details of that programme can be found on each of the academy websites, or by contacting the Operations Manager at the academy.

On deciding which requests can be accepted, the academy will consider:

• whether the request is suitable for the targeted cohort of students.
• whether the request can be incorporated into plans already in place to support students, such as careers assemblies and raising aspirations conferences.
• whether the requestor has already had access to the relevant cohort of students.
• any existing activities, trips or visits (to or from the academy).
• whether any disruption will be caused to the curriculum or to examinations or examination preparations.
• staff availability.
• appropriate facilities available.

Where a request cannot be accommodated, the academy will set out the reasons for this decision. If the request is deemed suitable, but not practical due to timing, the academy will work with the provider to identify the next opportunity to accommodate the request.

Opportunities for Access

The Sky Academy offers a minimum of four provider encounters per year required by law (marked in bold text in the table below) and a number of additional events, integrated into the school’s career programme. We will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students or their parents / carers.

Please speak to our Careers Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.

We are in discussions with providers for 2024/2025 but please make contact with Gaby Long, as we will be planning our careers rota for academic year 2024/2025 in July 2024.

Premises and Facilities

The Sky Academy will make the main hall, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity. Bristol Brunel Academy 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 Lead.

Meaningful online engagement is also an option, and we are open to providers who are able to provide live online engagement for our students.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at the Academy Reception, this will be passed to the Careers Lead, who will ensure it is readily available to students.

Complaints

Any complaints with regards to provider access can be raised following the school complaints procedure or directly with The Careers & Enterprise Company via provideraccess@careersandenterprise.co.uk

Approval and Review

Approved by Principal

Next review:

Signed: Gaby Long

Approved by Chair of Academy Council:

Next review:

Signed: Gus Grimshaw