Merit recognises its statutory duty to provide impartial and confidential careers education to all our students in Years 7 to 11 and to give students access to careers information, advice and guidance.
We aim to broaden horizons, raise aspirations and help students to make the most of a range of opportunities on offer during their time at Merit.
Merit PRU: Provider Access Policy
This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to the school 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.
All pupils in years 8 to 13 are entitled:
For pupils of compulsory school age these encounters are mandatory and there will be a minimum of two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 to 9) and two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 to 11). For pupils in the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 to 13), particularly those that have not yet decided on their next steps, there are two more provider encounters available during this period, which are optional for pupils to attend.
These provider encounters will be scheduled during the main school hours and the provider will be given a reasonable amount of time to, as a minimum:
(including the opportunity to meet staff and pupils from the provider)
One encounter is defined as one meeting/session between pupils and one provider. We are committed to providing meaningful encounters to all pupils using the Making it meaningful checklist.
Meaningful online engagement is also an option, and we are open to providers that are able to provide live online engagement with our pupils.
Last Year we invited the following providers from the local area to speak to our pupils:
Last year our year 11 pupils moved to range of providers in the local area after school:
Management of provider access requests
A provider wishing to request access should contact Sarah Whiteley, Co-headteacher, Merit PRU, swhiteley4@meritpru-stoke.org.uk 01782 928 983
The school offers the six provider encounters required by law (marked in bold text) and a number of additional events, integrated into the school careers programme. We will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to pupils or their parents or carers.
Please speak to our Careers Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
KS3 | Careers week – subject focus | Whole school encounter with an employer
Apprenticeships workshop – ASK
Bespoke encounters with employers | Technical/vocational tasters at local college/s, training providers
Bespoke encounters with employers
Understanding the labour market
|
Year 10 | Careers week – subject focus
Meeting with careers adviser
Post 16 technical education options assembly with General Further Education College
University Taster Day – Staffordshire University
| Whole school encounter with an employer
Technical/vocational tasters at local college/s, training providers
Apprenticeships workshop – ASK
Apprenticeships Fair (all students)
Bespoke encounters with an employer | Technical/vocational tasters at local college/s, training providers
Bespoke encounters with employers
Understanding the labour market
|
Year 11 | Careers week – subject focus
Post 16 provider open evenings. Post 16 apprenticeships assembly Meetings with careers adviser Post 16 applications Bespoke encounter with an employer
University Taster Day – Staffordshire University | Whole school encounter with an employer
Apprenticeships workshop – ASK
Apprenticeships Fair (optional)
Post-16 interviews Meetings with careers adviser Post 16 applications
Bespoke encounter with an employer
| Confirmation of post-16 education and training destinations for all pupils
Meetings with careers adviser Post 16 applications for students without confirmed Post 16 offer |
The school will make the main hall, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and pupils, as appropriate to the activity. The school 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.
Meaningful online engagement is also an option and we are open to providers that are able to provide live online engagement with our pupils.
Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at the school library.
Complaints:
Any complaints with regards to provider access can be raised following the school complaints procedure or directly with The Careers & Enterprise Company via provideraccess@careersandenterprise.co.uk
Approved by Governors at Curriculum and Standards Committee
Next review: Summer Term 2024
Signed: Chris Bird Chair of Merit Management Committee Sarah Whiteley, Co- Head teacher and Careers Leader
Assessing and measuring the impact of our careers provision:
We use the GATSBY Benchmarking system to ensure that our careers provision steadily grows and improves year on year. We also aim to assess impact through regular evaluations such as questionnaires of student and parent voice. We work closely, every term, with the Local Authority (Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Careers and Enterprise Company). We currently review our careers provision every term.
Useful careers links
Please find below a range of subject videos for you to view.
Newcastle
Apprenticeships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmKwnHZiplY
Access to HE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eok58gW-7Uo
Hairdressing & Beauty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-7T5LQprks
Higher Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mLBm3oT8uM
Computing & IT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AheRNWBqK1c
Creative Arts & Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufj3qbCucCI
Early Years & Health and Social Care: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_HTWwWOrmY
HNC/D Performing Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG7d6mGHf38
Maths & English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTIRZRl3l7Q
Construction & Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVFQpfKaxSI
A Levels & A+ Programmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0hjy4ImxvI
Business, Accounting & Travel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFIfgbKN4FI
Music & Performing Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5n8e4tHVEs
Sport & Exercise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPg_712Wkc4
Public Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1WNAk5Lxbs
Foundation Studies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0aKWabbg9M
Stafford:
Virtual Campus Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDOfr5AaTKQ
NEW BUILD! Skills & Innovation Centre Walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhzK8_VVlQI
Foundation Studies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1uP5OTzX3M
A Level & A+ Programmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-jBLcr3ICQ
Sport & Public Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQDLcKqr3rc
Creative Arts, Film & Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBGsOYGSXMQ
Music & Performing Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0fHCo1KXTU
Health & Social Care and Early Years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpmd5z30xNk
Maths & English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rin-pjldU84
Hairdressing & Beauty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPRrgjjUWC0
Hospitality & Catering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZBeX4KPy80
Business, Computing, IT & Accounting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTGLEcid_x8
Access to HE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cCP5FiciZk
Higher Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amF0l-fBAVc
Engineering, Construction & Motor Vehicle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0-HOlxSoXQ
Apprenticeships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM7GxcDad_E
Apprentice Videos:
TT Pumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmS_m30WEhY
NHS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekAUsF4-KGs
NHS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekE6r6nlKNc
Littleton Arms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR8iL0fY1e8
Briggs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toizKMMjnWo
Amie Nicole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR1BnHg_kMQ
Caitlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTFuliPpSFs
Promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YnkPuynKGs
Misc:
A Levels at Newcastle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQFF4UGDq0s
BTEC at Newcastle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yf_nUzDpzM
Apprenticeships at NSCG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILC4EnS3ock
Academy of Sport: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6nR1w_L6b0
Honours Programme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtfJ-wuujC0
A Level Results Day 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwjNda0ucrI
Welcome to Palmbourne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L66xaq3C_WY
BTEC at Stafford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMXnfnIvhJ0
Art Exhibition Stafford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aak4ZWcso
A Levels Results Day at Stafford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlCTADQbKwk
Vacancy Snapshot - This Webpage shows Students a selection of very well-known Companies and Familiar Brands that employ Apprentices.
Great to add the link to your School Careers Website, and great to share with Students to explore during tutor time or PSHE sessions for example.
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/vacancies/
Live Broadcasts – A selection of bite-size videos (each about 15 minutes long) Interviewing Apprentices from different sectors to talk about their experiences.
Great to add the link to your School Careers Website, and great to share with Students to explore during tutor time or PSHE sessions for example.
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/live-broadcasts/
Apprenticeship Champions – All Teachers and Careers Leaders can sign up to be an Apprentice Champion. This is free and gives access to extra resources and information.
You also get invited to Events where you can network and share ideas and information - and meet with some of the country’s leading apprenticeship employers.