Provider Access Policy Statement
St Annes College Grammar School (SACGS)
Approved by: Provider / Senior Leadership Team
Date: 21/04/2026
Last reviewed on: 21/04/2026
Next review due by: 21/04/2027
- Aims
At St Annes College Grammar School (SACGS) we aim to provide all pupils from Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 4 with meaningful opportunities to explore a wide range of future pathways.
This policy sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of education and training providers to pupils for the purpose of giving them information about their offer.
At SACGS we aim to:
- Develop awareness of all career pathways, including technical education and apprenticeships
- Build aspiration and understanding of the world of work from an early age
- Ensure pupils understand post-16 pathways
- Support pupils in making informed decisions at key transition points
- Reduce the risk of pupils becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training)
- Statutory Requirements
This policy is written in line with the following legislation and guidance:
- Section 42B of the Education Act 1997
- Education and Skills Act 2008
- The School Information (England) Regulations 2008
- Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 (Baker Clause)
- DfE guidance on careers guidance and access for education and training providers
SACGS ensures that pupils have opportunities to engage with a range of education and training providers and receive information about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.
- Pupil Entitlement
All pupils at SACGS are entitled to:
- Find out about further education, technical education qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities
- Hear from a range of local and national providers
- Access impartial careers information
- Take part in careers-related learning appropriate to their age and stage
- Understand how to make applications for a range of post-16 pathways
We deliver this through:
- Careers-related assemblies
- Themed careers events and workshops
- Employer encounters
- College visits
- Work experience placements
- Careers guidance and application support
Key Stage Entitlement
Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2
Pupils are introduced to the world of work through:
- Aspirational assemblies
- Visits from employers and role models
- Themed career days and activities
Focus:
- Raising aspirations
- Challenging stereotypes
- Building awareness of jobs and skills
Key Stage 3
Pupils receive more structured careers education through:
- Employer encounters
- Skills-based workshops
- Careers assemblies and themed events
Focus:
- Exploring career sectors
- Understanding education pathways
Year 10 (Key Stage 4)
Pupils receive targeted preparation for post-16 pathways:
- College visits
- Work experience placements
- Employer engagement activities
Year 11 (Key Stage 4)
Pupils receive focused support for transition:
- College talks and provider encounters
- Post-16 assemblies
- Application support and careers guidance
Whole School Careers Offer
All pupils across the school take part in:
- Careers-related assemblies
- Themed careers events
- Workshops linked to employability skills
This ensures a progressive careers programme from KS1 to KS4.
3.1 Meaningful Encounters with Providers
At SACGS, a meaningful encounter:
- Allows pupils to explore learning and career opportunities
- Includes interaction with providers and employers
- Has a clear purpose and learning outcomes
- Provides insight into qualifications and career pathways
- Includes opportunities for reflection
- Management of Provider Access Requests
4.1 Procedure
A provider wishing to request access should contact:
Lucy Whitworth
Careers Leader
📧 lwhitworth@sacgs.co.uk
📞 01253 725815
4.2 Information We Ask from Providers
Providers are asked to supply:
- Information about courses, apprenticeships or training programmes
- Career pathways linked to their provision
- Information about what learning or training is like
- Opportunities for pupil interaction and questions
4.3 Opportunities for Access
Providers have a range of opportunities to engage with pupils throughout the school year:
| Phase / Year Group | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
| KS1 & KS2 | Aspirational assemblies, visitors, themed career days | Employer visits and role model talks | Careers workshops and activities |
| KS3 | Employer encounters, assemblies | Skills workshops, provider encounters | Careers events |
| Year 10 | Work experience preparation, employer talks | College visits, preparation | Work experience placements |
| Year 11 | College talks, post-16 assemblies | Application support, guidance | Destinations confirmed |
Additional opportunities are available through:
- Assemblies
- Workshops
- Careers events
- Parent engagement sessions
Providers should contact the Careers Leader to identify suitable opportunities.
4.4 Live Online Encounters
SACGS may consider live online encounters where appropriate, subject to safeguarding and technical checks.
4.5 Granting and Refusing Access
All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Access will be granted where:
- It supports the careers programme
- It provides value to pupils
- It offers balanced representation of pathways
4.6 Safeguarding
All providers must comply with the school’s safeguarding procedures.
Visitors will:
- Be checked on arrival
- Be supervised by staff
The safeguarding policy is available on the school website.
4.7 Premises and Facilities
The school will provide:
- Suitable rooms or assembly spaces
- AV equipment
- Staff support during sessions
Providers may leave prospectuses or materials for pupils.
- Working with Parents and Carers
SACGS actively involves parents and carers by:
- Inviting them to careers events
- Sharing information about post-16 pathways
- Providing access to labour market information
Parents can contact the Careers Leader directly.
Feedback is gathered through:
- Parent surveys
- Event feedback
- Previous Providers
SACGS works with a range of:
- Local further education colleges
- Apprenticeship providers
- Employers across Lancashire
- Pupil Destinations
Pupils progress to:
- Sixth forms and colleges
- Apprenticeships
- Vocational training
Destination data is reviewed annually to inform the careers programme.
- Complaints
Any complaints regarding provider access should follow the school’s complaints procedure, available on the school website.
- Links to Other Policies
This policy links to:
- Safeguarding Policy
- Careers Programme
- SEND Policy
- Equality Policy
- Complaints Policy
- Monitoring Arrangements
This policy is monitored by:
Lucy Whitworth – Careers Leader
It is reviewed annually and approved by the Governing Body.