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Provider Access Legislation 2026-2027

Provider Access Legislation (PAL)  2026-2027

Access for colleges, training providers, university technical colleges, and all other post 16 providers offering technical votation and academic routes and apprenticeships

Policy details

  • Date created - August 2026
  • Date reviewed - August 2026
  • Date approved - August 2026
  • Next review date - August 2027
  • Policy owner - Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams

  1. Rationale
  2. Statutory requirements
  3. Pupil entitlement (intended learning outcomes)
  4. Management of provider access requests
  5. Monitoring arrangements
  6. Student destinations

1.Rationale


This policy statement sets out our academy’s  arrangements for managing the access of education and training providers to students for the purpose of giving them information about the various post 16 routes.  All academies are legally required to provide at least six encounters with providers of technical education or apprenticeships

It sets out:

  • Procedures in relation to requests for access
  • The grounds for granting and refusing requests for access
  • Details of premises or facilities to be provided to a person who is given access

2.Statutory requirements

All academies  adhere to the  updated  DfE Statutory guidance (May '25) and are working towards embedding the updated Gatsby benchmarks and preparing for the future introduction of a guarantee of 2 weeks worth of work experience for every young person.

All academies are required to ensure that there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access students in years 8 to 13 for the purposes of informing them about approved technical education, qualifications or apprenticeships. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

In addition to the Baker Clause, an amendment to the above stipulates that schools must allow colleges and training providers access to every student in years 8 - 13 to discuss non-academic routes that are available to them. It is expected that by doing so this will help address the UK’s productivity challenges and address skills shortages experienced across several sectors of the economy. In line with the updated Provider Access Legislation, from January 2023, all students will have at least six encounters with providers of approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships.

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
  • 3rd key phase:  Year 12 or 13 two encounters that are mandatory for the academy to offer but optional for students to attend

3.Pupil entitlement (intended learning outcomes)

At Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams we will use Gatsby Benchmarks as a framework of best practice  to develop and improve our careers provision to ensure that we not only fulfil legal duties of providing opportunities for a range of education and training providers to access all students in Year 7 to year 13 but to also have  CEIAG programs that meet the needs of an ever changing cohort. All of our students are entitled:

  1. 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;
  2. To hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships
  3. To understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

These provider encounters will be scheduled during the main academy hours and there will a minimum  expectation that our providers will provide :-

  • Information about the provider and the approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships they offer
  • Information about the careers to which those technical education qualifications or  apprenticeships might lead i.e career routes
  • Description of what learning or training with the provider is like,  including the opportunity to meet staff and students where possible
  • Opportunities for students  to ask questions , including our most vulnerable and those with additional learning needs.

Further detail of our  CEIAG programme is available on our website: https://www.florencemacwilliams.coopacademies.co.uk/careers 

4. Management of provider access requests

4.1 Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should complete this form stating  their  name, contact details, aims and objectives of visit and proposed format / timings.

CEIAG Leader: Mr D. Bull

Telephone: 01782 444650        

Email: florence@coopacademies.co.uk

Name of provider requesting access & details of provision

Contact name of provider and contact details

All visitors will be subject to our safeguarding policy. A DBS check will not be required.

Number of staff who propose to visit

All visitors will be subject to our safeguarding policy. A DBS check will not be required.

Aims and objectives of session including suggested year group(s)

All visitors will be subject to our safeguarding policy. A DBS check will not be required.

Proposed format, timings and duration of session including facilities and equipment required

4.2 Opportunities for access

Our academy will  offer the six provider encounters required by law and a number of additional events, integrated into our careers program. We will offer providers an opportunity to come into our academies to speak to students and/or their parents or carers.

4.3 Safeguarding

Our  policy on safeguarding, which can be found on our website, sets out our approach to allowing providers into our academy as visitors to talk to our students.

Education and training providers will be expected to adhere to this policy.

4.4 Premises and facilities

Our academy will make the main hall, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity.

The academy 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 with the Careers Leader or a member of their team.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at reception, from here they will be delivered to the Academy Library. This facility is available to all students at lunch and break times.

5. Monitoring arrangements

Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams arrangements for managing the access of education and training providers to our students is monitored by Mr D. Bull (Deputy Headteacher).

This policy will be reviewed by Jo Sykes. At every review, the policy will be approved by the governing board and the headteacher.

6. Student destinations

Last year, our year 11 pupils moved to a range of providers in the local area after school. Here are the destinations  of our Y11 students that left our academy in  July 2025:-

Sixth Form College: N/A

FE College: N/A

Apprenticeships: N/A

Employment with training: N/A

N/A to Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams as the academy opened in 2024 and currently has Year 7 - Year 9 year groups only.

7.Calendar of encounters

Year Group

Autumn Term 2026 (linked to BM)

Intended learning outcomes (linked to CDI LO)

7

  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Individual and personal ambition statements created in PACE lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • PACE curriculum careers lessons HT2 (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Guest speaker (1,2,3,4,5)
  • FSQ (Gatsby 1,3,8)
  • Family lunch careers discussion topics (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Subject specific careers links in curriculum (Gatsby 1, 2, 3, 4)
  • Careers Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Increase understanding of ambition and have all students explicitly identify their ambition and the steps to achieve their ambition.
  • Provide clear support on the use of the unifrog platform to increase the engagement.
  • Support enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Discrete careers lessons focussed on an introduction to careers and identifying skills and personal interests.
  • Careers within our electives curriculum and explicit increase in offer of opportunities.
  • Increase ambition and motivation.
  • Exposure to further education in the area
  • Audit the careers programme
  • Promote discussion and critical thinking surrounding careers and ambition

8

  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • PACE curriculum careers lessons HT2 (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Guest speaker (1,2,3,4,5)
  • FSQ (Gatsby 1,3,8)
  • CV preparation (Gatsby 1,2, 3,4,5)
  • FSQ
  • REACH programme
  • Family lunch careers discussion topics (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)

  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Increase understanding of ambition and have all students explicitly identify their ambition and the steps to achieve their ambition.
  • Provide clear support on the use of the unifrog platform to increase the engagement.
  • Support enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Discrete careers lessons focussed on an introduction to careers and identifying skills and personal interests.
  • Careers within our electives curriculum and explicit increase in offer of opportunities.
  • Increase ambition and motivation.
  • Build understanding of what is involved in a career in the media
  • Exposure to further education in the area
  • Audit the careers programme
  • Promote discussion and critical thinking surrounding careers and ambition

9

  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Visits to Universities (Gatsby 1,3,7)
  • FSQ
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Increase understanding of ambition and have all students explicitly identify their ambition and the steps to achieve their ambition.
  • Provide clear support on the use of the unifrog platform to increase the engagement.
  • Support enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Discrete careers lessons focussed on an introduction to careers and identifying skills and personal interests.
  • Careers within our enrichment curriculum and explicit increase in offer of opportunities.
  • Increase ambition and motivation.
  • Exposure to further education in the area
  • Audit the careers programme
  • Promote discussion and critical thinking surrounding careers and ambition

10

11

Year Group

Spring Term 2026 (linked to BM)

Intended learning outcomes

7

  • Visits to Universities working with Higher Horizons (Gatsby 1,3,5,6,7)
  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • STEM activities (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Series of events for national apprenticeship week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national careers week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Apprenticeship speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Co-op Academies Trust Equalax Careers Booklet (Gatsby 1,3,4,8)
  • Higher Horizons Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,7,8)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Direct instruction briefings on key concepts to the whole school such as T levels and apprenticeships.
  • Exposure to a wide range of employers and education providers.
  • STEM visitor to provide support about careers in STEM
  • Raise the profile and understanding of apprenticeships across NAW
  • Raise the profile of careers and build on previous learning through events for NCW
  • Increase understanding of apprenticeships and allow students to consider as a pathway

8

  • Visits to Universities (Gatsby 1,3,7)
  • Co-op Academies Trust Equalax Project (Gatsby 1,3,4,8)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national apprenticeship week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national careers week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Apprenticeship speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Direct instruction briefings on key concepts to the whole school such as T levels and apprenticeships
  • Exposure to a wide range of employers and education providers.
  • STEM visitor to provide support about careers in STEM
  • Raise the profile and understanding of apprenticeships across NAW
  • Raise the profile of careers and build on previous learning through events for NCW
  • Increase understanding of apprenticeships and allow students to consider as a pathway

9

  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national apprenticeship week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national careers week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Y9 internal taster sessions prior to options  (Gatsby 1,3,4)
  • Apprenticeship speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Careers links made through options process (Gatsby 1,3,7)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Direct instruction briefings on key concepts to the whole school such as T levels and apprenticeships.
  • Ensure students make options choices while taking into consideration careers
  • Exposure to a wide range of employers and education providers.
  • Raise the profile and understanding of apprenticeships across NAW
  • Raise the profile of careers and build on previous learning through events for NCW
  • Increase understanding of apprenticeships and allow students to consider as a pathway
  • Ensure students make well informed options choices

10

11

Year Group

Summer Term 2026 (linked to BM)

Intended learning outcomes

7

  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • T levels speaker visit (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Local college speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • PACE curriculum careers and citizenship (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Provide explicit links of careers to the curriculum
  • Deepen understanding of T levels.
  • Deepen understanding of local college offer
  • Deepen understanding of money management and the system of law in the UK

8

  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Local college speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Provide explicit links of careers to the curriculum
  • Deepen understanding of T levels.
  • Deepen understanding of local college offer
  • Deepen understanding of money management and the system of law in the UK
  • Deepen knowledge of local college offer

9

  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Visits to Universities (Gatsby 1,3,7)
  • T levels speaker visit (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Local college speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • 1 day Work Experience Placement (Gatsby 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Provide explicit links of careers to the curriculum
  • Deepen understanding of T levels.
  • Deepen understanding of local college offer
  • Deepen understanding of money management and the system of law in the UK
  • Deepen knowledge of local college offer
  • Build employability skills and build award for CV and job applications

10

11

Additional Provision

Our CEIAG programme is designed to address the diverse needs of our student body, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable students, including those who are disadvantaged and those with SEND. Recognising the unique challenges these students may face, our programme is designed to create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters their personal and professional development and raises ambition. We prioritise early intervention strategies, tailored resources, and individualised support to ensure equitable access to career-related information and opportunities.

Trust Programmes

As part of the Co-op Academies Trust, Co-op Academy Florence takes part in two careers based programmes. A group of year eight students take part in the REACH programme focussed on raising aspirations and a group of students complete the Envision programme based on empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop essential skills and confidence through tackling social issues affecting their community. Groups are selected to represent or overrepresent vulnerable and disadvantaged groups proportionately.

Staff will receive;

  • Annual updates on LMI (Gatsby 1,3,4,5)
  • Annual feedback on Compass (Gatsby 1)
  • Directed time to develop CEIAG in the curriculum (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,7)
  • PACE curriculum reviews (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Subject curriculum reviews (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Wider opportunities linking to CEIAG (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Careers resourcing and curriculum mapping (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)

Impact 

Measuring the impact of our CEIAG programme supports us to regularly develop it to know that we are making a positive and empowering difference. We value quantitative and qualitative feedback from all stakeholders and ensure our evaluations lead to improvements in our future planning. We undertake internal and external quality assurance to ensure our intent and implementation is in-line with our expectations. We measure impact in the following ways:

  • Tracking of Compass over time
  • Tracking engagement and progress with Unifrog
  • Feedback and evaluation for all events, both quantitative and qualitative
  • Increase in attendance / reduction in PA over time
  • Student and staff voice
  • Levels of employer engagement
  • Levels of education provider engagement
  • Knowledge Expert assessment data
  • NEET figures when available

Additional Information: Visit the careers section on our website for further and additional information

Useful websites

Universities

https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/new-ucas-hub-encourages-students-shoot-stars (New Hub that has replaced UCAS progress)

 www.russell group.ac.uk  (represents 24 leading universities, source of careers information & advice including ‘informed choices’ a downloadable guide to making post 16 choices)

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance    (Student finance)

https://universitycompare.com/    (comparing different universities)

https://universitycompare.com/rankings/   (University rankings)

https://www.unitasterdays.com/  (A directory of university events for school groups and individual students._

Apprenticeships

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship 

https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships-in-the-uk

 https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/apprenticeships

https://allaboutapprenticeships.co.uk/ 

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/ 

https://careerfinder.ucas.com/jobs/apprenticeship/ 

Careers Games

 https://panjango.com/pages/panjango-online

 https://icould.com/buzz-quiz/

Which Animal Are You? In under five minutes, discover:  your strengths and what makes you tick  / what you're like as a boyfriend or girlfriend /  which celebrities share your personality type. There are 16 possible results, each connected to an animal

Online platforms

www.startprofile.com

www.unifrog.org

www.cascaid.co.uk/xello/

www.grofar.com

Labour Market Information (LMI)

https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/

Stoke

https://lhs.ttlt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/07/Stoke-on-Trent-and-StaffordshireApril-2019-LMI-Report.pdf 

Other

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/  (provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work)

https://www.careersbox.co.uk/     (A great source of up to the minute job profile films)

https://icould.com/     (Career videos to find out about a wide range of careers and opportunities. Take the Buzz Quiz – it’s great fun!)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-of-the-future   (what does the future hold!)

https://successatschool.org/ 

Success at School is the place for young people to explore careers, get the lowdown on top employers, and search for the latest jobs, courses and advice. Get career smart and Register today! Success at school have highlighted some of the different careers that are helping us through the current crisis.

https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/  (opportunities if you decide university is not for you)

https://uk.job-applications.com/   (has useful videos, demonstrating how to complete the online applications for many top companies in the UK, as well as providing detailed information on salaries and interviews. Applications forms can be printed off directly from this site.)

http://www.talkingjobs.net/    (An online video player that delivers a series of career case studies)

https://www.skillsbuilder.org/homelearning

Everyone needs eight essential skills to succeed - whatever their path in life. Skills builder provides a range of resources for building these skills in a home setting - all underpinned by the Skills Builder Framework. Resources are available for learners aged 4 to 20+.

https://www.thewowshow.org/students/

The WOW Show (World of Work) - The WOW Show is a live online channel creating real-life encounters with the world of work to inspire young people about their futures. Have a look at some of the recordings and find out about any careers you are considering for your future.

https://fledglink.com/

This free app for students aged 13+ allows students to complete a digital CV and matches them with jobs, apprenticeships and other suitable opportunities.

https://www.speakersforschools.org/experience-2/vwex/

Speakers for schools - virtual work experiences Working with over 50 leading employers across industries, this offers students the chance to apply for interactive, high impact placements, through a safeguarded application portal and platform. During placements, students interact with employers, complete real work projects and work together to gain industry insights and skills.

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Careers in Health Professions – Make a difference with a career in health. Get all the information you need to take the next step in your career. Health professions have been highlighted during the Coronavirus pandemic and demand is expected to increase. There are hundreds of types of careers in health available so it is definitely worth consideration. The NHS employs around 1.5 million people and there are over 350 roles to choose from, not just a doctor or a nurse! You can see a list of the careers available here: stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/careers and you can compare the many varied careers available here: healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/compare-roles

Parents

https://targetcareers.co.uk/parents-and-teachers

https://careerready.org.uk/parents

https://www.careeralchemy.co.uk/choosing-career-paths.html

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