Provider Access
Provider Access Legislation (PAL) Policy Statement
Access for colleges, training providers, university technical colleges, universities and all other post 16 providers, including technical, vocational, academic routes and apprenticeships as well as traineeships and supported internships
Here at the Hospital Education Service we are proud of the professional relationships that we have with employers, training providers, colleges, sixth forms and universities.
We recognise the importance of students across all year groups having full access to these providers throughout their time at school in to have enough information to make a well informed and realistic decision about their future. We welcome external providers coming into school to impart this information to our students and operate under the guidance principles of true impartiality. We also fully recognise and are committed to the student entitlement updated Provider Access Legislation applying to Year 8 and onwards. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
Student Entitlement – All students in Year 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 as well as academic and other vocational routes – through options events, assemblies and enrichment events.
- to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.
In line with the updated Provider Access Legislation, from January 2023, all schools must provide a minimum of six encounters for all students with post 16 providers, as above. This is broken down into key phases:
- 1st key phase: Year 8 or 9 - Two encounters for students that are mandatory for all to attend
- 2nd key phase: Year 10 or 11 - Two encounters for students that are mandatory for all 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 students from the provider)
- answer questions from all students, including our most able, our most vulnerable and those with additional learning needs
Partnership Working
As part of our careers programme, we will consider requests from approved training, apprenticeship, technical and vocational education providers, including University Technical Colleges to speak to our students. We will also approach these providers directly when planning and organising key career related events throughout the school year such as school assemblies, curriculum lessons, enrichment events and post 16/18 options fayres.
The quality and impact of careers provision at the Hospital Education Service is monitored by our Senior Leadership Team. Access and opportunity to engage with technical, vocational and training providers will form part of this process.
Management of Provider Access Requests
In the first instance, requests by providers should be sent to the following email address: asif.takolia@coventry.gov.uk
The request should include:
- The proposal format, timings and duration of the request;
- The number of staff from your organisation who propose to visit;
- Any support requirements of the school.
All requests will be considered on the basis of:
- Clashes with other planned activity, trips or visits to the School;
- Interruption to preparation for examinations;
- Availability of School staff, space and resources to host the activity.
The Hospital Education Services at its discretion, may refuse a request if it would be likely to be detrimental to the safety or wellbeing of children or staff, or if granting the request would be likely to bring the school into disrepute.
If a request is granted, the provider will have access to:
- A room within the school
- Audio-visual equipment, including a laptop, projector or interactive whiteboard;
- Stationary as required;
- At least one member of school staff.