In January 2023 the Department for Education (DfE) introduced a new legal duty on schools / academies to ensure all registered students have access to providers of technical education and apprenticeships during their journey through education.
The introduction of Provider Access Legislation requires all schools and academies to provide opportunities for a range of education and training providers to access all Year 8 to 13 pupils to inform them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.
Through the Skills and Post-16 Act 2022, the government has strengthened this legislation by introducing a minimum number of six provider encounters that every school must provide. For the first time, the legislation introduces parameters around the duration and content of these encounters so that DfE can ensure they are of high quality. The department has asked all maintained schools and academies to make sure they have put in place arrangements to comply fully with these changes. The new legislation came into force in January 2023.
Schools and colleges now have a responsibility to set pupils on the path that will secure the best outcome which will enable them to progress in education and work. That means schools must act impartially and not show bias towards any route, be that academic or technical. Schools must open their doors to other education providers because it is vital to ensure that all pupils are aware of the benefits of apprenticeships, T Levels and other approved technical education qualifications, so that they can consider them, alongside academic options, when making choices about their future.
Every pupil, whatever their ambitions, should have the opportunity to explore what it is like to learn at the full range of learning providers, including colleges, universities, apprenticeship and training providers (including employers), University Technical Colleges (UTCs) and Studio Schools.
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