Information and Access for Pupils, Parents, Teachers and Employers 

For Pupils 

Pupils are at the centre of our Careers and WRL programme. 

Pupils can access careers information and experiences through: 

• Careers and WRL lessons 

• Individual and group careers guidance 

• Employer and employee encounters 

• College and training provider visits 

• Careers events and activities 

• Work experience and workplace visits 

• Volunteering opportunities 

• Enterprise activities 

• Travel training and community-based learning 

• Preparation for Adulthood activities 

• Information about colleges, apprenticeships, supported internships and other post-16 options 

• Transition planning and support 

We aim to provide pupils with opportunities to ask questions, meet people from different careers and explore realistic options for their future. 

Pupils can speak to their class teacher, Careers Leader or SENDCo if they would like further careers information or support. 

 

For Parents and Carers 

Parents and carers play an important role in helping young people make decisions about their future. 

Parents and carers can access: 

• The school's Careers and WRL Programme Summary 

• Information about post-16 education and training 

• Information about apprenticeships and technical education 

• Careers events and provider encounters 

• Information about work experience and volunteering 

• Transition information 

• Individual careers guidance and support 

• Opportunities to contribute to careers planning and reviews 

We encourage parents and carers to talk with their child about their interests, strengths, skills and aspirations. 

Where appropriate, parents and carers can contact the Careers Leader or SENDCo for further information or support. 

For Teachers and School Staff 

Careers and WRL is a whole-school responsibility. 

Teachers and support staff contribute to the programme by helping pupils to recognise and develop transferable skills, understand the world of work and make connections between their learning and future opportunities. 

Staff can access: 

• The Careers and WRL Programme Summary 

• Medium-term plans and careers resources 

• Gatsby Benchmark information 

• Information about local employers and providers 

• Work experience guidance 

• Post-16 pathway information 

• Resources for supporting pupils with SEND 

• Opportunities for professional development 

• Information about upcoming careers events and provider encounters 

Staff are encouraged to identify opportunities within their own curriculum areas to develop pupils' understanding of careers and the world of work. 

 

For Employers 

We value the contribution that employers and employees can make to our pupils' learning. 

Employers can support our Careers and WRL programme through: 

• Employer encounters 

• Workplace visits 

• Careers talks 

• Demonstrations and practical activities 

• Mock interviews 

• Work experience 

• Supported work-related activities 

• Enterprise projects 

• Workplace tours 

• Volunteering opportunities 

• Providing information about different careers and workplace skills 

We particularly welcome employers who can provide accessible, meaningful and appropriate experiences for pupils with SEND. 

If you are an employer interested in working with our pupils, please contact our Careers Leader: 

Mrs E. Holder – Careers Leader 
eholder@sutton.dudley.sch.uk 
01384 958400 

Provider Access Policy Statement 

Introduction 

This statement sets out the school's arrangements for providing access to pupils for education and training providers. 

We are committed to ensuring that pupils have access to impartial information about the full range of education and training opportunities available to them, including technical education, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and other approved post-16 pathways. 

This policy supports the school's legal responsibilities under the provider access requirements and contributes to Gatsby Benchmark 5 – Encounters with Further and Higher Education. 

The school will work with a range of providers to ensure that pupils have meaningful opportunities to learn about different routes beyond school. 

Pupil Entitlement 

Pupils in Years 8–11 are entitled to learn about: 

• Technical education qualifications 

• Apprenticeships, including foundation apprenticeships where appropriate 

• Vocational and applied qualifications 

• Further education and college opportunities 

• Supported internships and supported employment routes 

• Other approved education and training pathways 

• The careers that different qualifications and training routes can lead to 

• What learning and training with different providers is like 

The current DfE guidance requires schools to provide at least four provider encounters across Years 8–11. 

Provider encounters may take place through: 

• Assemblies 

• Group presentations 

• Options events 

• Careers fairs 

• Provider visits 

• College visits 

• Apprenticeship events 

• Taster activities 

• Workshops 

• Practical demonstrations 

• Workplace or training-centre visits 

• Virtual encounters where appropriate 

Providers will be given the opportunity to explain their organisation, the approved qualifications or apprenticeships they offer, the careers these routes may lead to and what learning or training with them is like. Pupils will also have opportunities to ask questions. 

Opportunities for Providers 

We welcome requests from approved education and training providers who wish to speak to pupils about their technical education, vocational qualifications or apprenticeship opportunities. 

Providers may request access by contacting: 

Mrs E. Holder – Careers Leader 
Email: eholder@sutton.dudley.sch.uk 
Telephone: 01384 958400 

Requests should include: 

• Name and contact details of the organisation 

• The type of provision being promoted 

• The qualifications, courses or apprenticeships available 

• The intended year group or pupil group 

• The proposed activity or format 

• Preferred dates and times 

• Any resources or facilities required 

Requests will be considered in relation to the school's existing Careers and WRL programme, pupil needs, safeguarding requirements, available facilities and the school's responsibility to provide impartial careers information. 

 

Granting or Refusing Access 

The school will make reasonable efforts to accommodate appropriate provider requests. 

Access may be declined or rearranged where: 

• The proposed activity is not appropriate for the intended pupils 

• The request duplicates existing provision 

• The timing is unsuitable 

• There are safeguarding concerns 

• The provider or activity does not meet school requirements 

• The activity would significantly disrupt learning 

• Appropriate facilities or staffing are unavailable 

Any decision to decline access will be made by the school in accordance with its wider policies and responsibilities. 

Facilities and Support 

Where access is agreed, the school will provide reasonable facilities to support the encounter. Depending on the activity, this may include: 

• A suitable classroom or meeting space 

• Presentation facilities 

• Access to appropriate pupils and staff 

• Tables and chairs 

• Display or practical activity space 

• Access to technology where available 

Providers should discuss any specific requirements with the Careers Leader when arranging the activity. 

All visitors and providers must comply with the school's safeguarding and visitor procedures. 

Timing of Provider Encounters 

Provider encounters will be planned throughout the academic year as part of the school's wider Careers and WRL programme. 

The school will aim to provide a broad range of encounters so that pupils are exposed to different types of education, training and employment pathways. 

Provider access will be particularly considered at key transition points, including when pupils are beginning to explore their options and when they are preparing for transition from school. 

 

Monitoring and Review 

The Careers Leader will monitor provider encounters as part of the school's overall Careers and WRL programme. 

Feedback from pupils, parents/carers, staff, employers and providers will be used to review and improve the programme.