Scarborough Sixth Form College Provider Access Policy
Author: Careers Manager
Date last reviewed: 6 September 2024
Date approved: Corporation 20 May 2025
Next review date: September 2026
1. Introduction
1.1. This policy sets out Scarborough Sixth Form College’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to students for the purpose of giving them 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.
1.2. The purpose of the ‘Baker Clause’ was to ensure that there is an opportunity for colleges and technical training providers to access Y8-Y13 pupils for the purpose of informing them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships. The new Provider Access Legislation (PAL DfE 2022) strengthens the existing legislation and came into effect in January 2023.
2. Student entitlement
2.1 Scarborough Sixth Form College promotes the full range of options at post-16 and post-18 through:
• college-wide, curriculum area-specific or sector/industry specific careers events
• lessons linking curriculum with careers
• the college tutorial programme
• open days and other college events
• careers service provision and guidance meetings
• internal progression review
• information provided to students and to parents and careers.
2.2 We aim to ensure students have meaningful encounters with employers, providers of technical education, universities and apprenticeships, so that they can be better informed about their options.
2.2 The Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 ensures that the Provider Access Legislation provides at least 6 encounters for all pupils between Year 8 and Year 13. At Scarborough Sixth Form College, this means our students, aged 16-19, (broadly Year 12 & 13) should expect, as a minimum:
• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (Year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the College to put on but optional for pupils to attend.
2.3 All students 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, curriculum and careers events, group presentations and taster events.
• to understand how to make applications for the full range of further academic and technical courses.
3. Information for Providers
3.1 The College must allow providers to have a reasonable amount of time both during the standard College day and at open events, to meet students and to provide all students with ‘careers-focused’ experiences. The College will ensure that students have the opportunity to meet with a representative range of education and training providers. The providers must speak to students:
• about their provision – information about the provider and the approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships that the provider offers
• providing information about the careers to which those qualifications might lead
• describing what learning or training with the provider is like
• and be ready to respond to questions from pupils about the provider or range of qualifications.
3.2 At Scarborough Sixth Form College, we welcome providers and are constantly looking to expand the experience and impartial information that our students receive through meaningful encounters. Please see the link on our Careers webpage for our careers programme for further information about the events we organise at Scarborough Sixth Form College.
3.3 Providers are invited to participate in both cross-college and specific curriculum area events or activities. We aim to include live virtual and online opportunities for engagement, where appropriate. We will liaise with providers to provide resources and facilities they need, such as rooms or equipment. Providers can discuss their needs with their designated College contact or the Careers Service. Providers are also welcome to leave a prospectus, or other course literature, with the Careers office, which is available to all College students during the College day.
4. Previous Providers
The College works regularly with a wide range of employers, providers and universities from the local and wider area. In the last academic year, we worked with over 30 higher education & training providers and over 300 employers. We are always looking to make new links so please get in touch if you would like to work with us.
How to Request Access
Providers wishing to visit the college should contact Careers Manager here in the careers service at:
E-mail: e.anderson@s6f.org.uk Tel: 01723 380784
The careers service will help identify the most suitable opportunities for you and can put you in touch with an appropriate specialist contact in a curriculum area.