Provider Access Policy Statement
Last reviewed: December 2025
Introduction
This policy statement sets out our school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to the school for the purpose of giving our learners 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 reflects the updated Gatsby Benchmarks.
Learner entitlement
All learners in Years 7 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;
- to access and use information about careers and the local labour market to inform their own decisions
For learners of compulsory school age these encounters are mandatory and there will be a minimum of two encounters for learners during the ‘first key phase’ (Year 8 to 9) and two encounters for learners during the ‘second key phase’ (Year 10 to 11). For learners 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 learners to attend.
As a middle school we provide these encounters in Years 7 and 8.
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 learners from the provider)
- answer questions from learners.
Meaningful provider encounters
One encounter is defined as one meeting/session between learners and one provider. We are committed to providing meaningful encounters to all learners 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 learners.
Destinations of our learners
At the end of Year 8 our learners move to their upper schools.
Management of provider access requests
Procedure
A provider wishing to request access should contact Careers Lead Mr. Gully jgully@gilbertinglefield.org.
Opportunities for access
Providers should contact Mr. Gully to identify the most suitable opportunity for them.
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Premises and facilities
The school will make the main hall, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and learners, 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. Facilities for online engagement can also be offered.
Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature in the school library which is available to all learners at lunch and break times.
Safeguarding
Our safeguarding and child protection policy outlines our school’s procedure for checking the identity and suitability of visitors. Education and training providers must adhere to this policy.
Complaints
Any complaints with regard to provider access can be raised following the school complaints procedure or directly with Mr. Gully jgully@gilbertinglefield.org.
Monitoring
The school’s arrangements for managing the access of education and training providers to our learners are monitored by the Careers Lead on an annual basis.
