Uplands School

Provider Access Protocol

Introduction

This policy statement sets out Uplands School’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to our students 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 and has been updated to include The Department of Education, July 2021: “Baker Clause” and the Provider Access Legislation, January 2023.

High quality careers education and guidance in school or college is critical to young people’s futures. It helps to prepare them for the workplace by providing a clear understanding of the world of work including the routes to jobs and careers that they might find engaging and rewarding and are accessible to them. This is pivotal in supporting young people develop themselves, make informed choices, improve their life opportunities and contribute to a productive and successful economy.

Uplands School is fully aware of the responsibility to set students on the path that will secure the best outcome that will enable them to progress in education and work and give employers the highly skills people they need.  This means acting impartially, in line with the statutory duty, and not showing bias towards any route, be that academic or technical.  Therefore where relevant and appropriate, Uplands School will ensure there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access students, for the purpose of informing them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.

 

Student Entitlement

All students in years 8 to 13 are entitled:

  • to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through presentations, visits, preparation for adulthood events, assemblies, group discussions and taster events;
  • 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 understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses;
  • to have access to at least six encounters with providers of approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships.

All of the above entitlement will be offered in line with the student’s individual needs, interests and wishes and with appropriate adult support.

Please note that Uplands School does not currently have any learners above Entry Level 3 so our current cohort would be unable to access Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs).

 

Management of provider access requests

Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should contact:

Claire Owens, Deputy Head teacher/Careers Leader

Email: cowens@uplandsschool.org.uk

Telephone (01793) 493910

 

Opportunities for access to meaningful encounters 

A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students or their parents or carers and for them to receive further information regarding preparation for adulthood/ post school planning.  Please follow the link to view the Uplands School Careers Programme   

The school offers the six statutory provider encounters and a number of additional events, integrated into the school careers programme.  We will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students or their parents or carers. Please speak to our Careers Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.  Such encounters for students at Uplands School may include: 

    • Talks/visits with local colleges/training providers. 
    • Talks/visits with local employers. 
    • Meeting with careers advisor. 
    • Meaningful online engagement is an option and we are open to providers that are able to provide live online engagement with our pupils.  We have found this has proven very effective for careers workshops for larger groups of students. 
    • Uplands Preparation for Adulthood Roadshow. 
    • Attendance at Careers Fayres. 
    • Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at school or record information online that can be tailormade to the needs of our setting and published on the website to make it accessible when students and their families require it. 
    • Students will have access to online career questionnaires and interactive work that can give them further guidance and support, e.g. Careers Pilot. See Uplands School - Careers Information for Students and Uplands School - Careers Information for Parents and Carers for further information. 

We are committed to providing meaningful encounters to all students using the Careers and Enterprise Company’s ‘Making it meaningful checklist’.  

Brunel Academies Trust and Uplands School is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people (CYP) and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please follow the link to view our school Safeguarding Policy

Premises and facilities

The school will make the main hall, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity. The school 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 Leader or a member of their team.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature with the Careers Leader who will add to the career resource library and accessible to students through Skills for Adulthood lessons and as required.

Review

Agreed by: the Secondary Provisions Local Governing Committee.

Next review due: September 2025