Bluecoat Aspley Academy Provider Access Policy (2025-26)

 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.

Pupil entitlement

All pupils in years 8 to 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.

For pupils of compulsory school age these encounters are mandatory and there will be a minimum of two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 to 9) and two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 to 11). For pupils in the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 to 13), particularly those that have not yet decided on their next steps, there are two more provider encounters available during this period, which are optional for pupils to attend.

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 pupils from the provider) answer questions from pupils.

Meaningful provider encounters

One encounter is defined as one meeting/session between pupils and one provider. We are committed to providing meaningful encounters to all pupils using the Making it meaningful checklist.

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

Previous providers

In previous terms/years we have invited the following providers from the local area to speak to our pupils:

Nottingham College: Attended Careers Fairs and delivered presentations to students covering their Post 16 Options, campuses and the application process. In addition, we have had separate presentations focussing on T Level qualifications and Apprenticeships.

Sixth Forms:    Bluecoat Sixth Form – 16-19 offer includes Level 3 academic courses and Level 2 & 3 vocational courses.

Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies: Raising awareness of specialist creative technology and roles within digital media, games design and production, film and TV, music and esports including information on their full range of FE/HE courses of education.

Nottingham Forest Community Trust: FE & HE Courses

Training Providers:

Access Training: courses include animal care, child care and construction. Access training also deliver apprenticeships covering business, childcare, customer service, adult care, healthcare, housing & property management, property maintenance, teaching assistant, and team leading & supervising.

Destinations of our pupils

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

Management of provider access requests Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should contact:

Year 7-11 Kirsty Lacey klacey@bluecoat.uk.com

Catherine Tolley ctolley@bluecoat.uk.com

Sixth Form Alaina Wood awood@bluecoat.uk.com Deputy Principal & Head of Sixth Form.

Opportunities for access

The school offers the six provider encounters required by law (marked in bold text) 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 pupils or their parents or carers.

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

Providers’ requests for access will be approved/denied according to how they enrich and complement our individual academy’s careers programme and the future intentions of our students, making each encounter as meaningful as possible.

Our curriculum map indicates calendared curriculum ‘enhancement’ foci for which providers are invited to register their interest in taking part.