Provider Access Policy Statement

Introduction

This policy sets out the academy’s arrangements for managing the access of external providers to pupils at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training opportunities and supporting pupils with their career learning development. This complies with the legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

Contact details for provider access requests ​​are stated below.

Procedure

A provider or employer wishing to request access should initially contact the Careers Lead for Strood Academy.

Telephone: 01634 717121
Email: donna.cooper@stroodacademy.org
Address: Carnation Rd, Strood, Kent ME2 2SX

Opportunities for access

A variety of events, integrated into the academy’s careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come onto the academy premises to speak to pupils and/or their parents/carers.

Refusal for access

We appreciate external providers approach and offers of contact with pupils. However, requests for access can be refused by the academy or linked staff within the Trust on the following grounds:

  • The need is being met elsewhere in the careers programme
  • Safeguarding reasons
  • Imbalanced or conflicting views
  • Not considered to be in the best interest of the pupils or is not relevant to the intended audience
  • Timing conflicts with other events.

Premises and Facilities

The academy will make any necessary arrangement to ensure that the location and resources required for the event is appropriate to the activity. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance with the Careers Lead. Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature for student access after the event.

Pupil Entitlement

All pupils in Years 8-13 are entitled:

  • 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;
  • hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through option events, assemblies, group discussions and taster events;
  • understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

Review

Approved by the Academy Principal and Governors.

The statement will be reviewed by June 2022 or updated sooner if contact names change.