Atlantic Academy uses the Gatsby Benchmarks as a guide to plan our Pathways and Enrichment programme. As part of our commitment to informing our students of the full range of learning and training pathways on offer to them, we are happy to consider requests from training, apprenticeship and vocational education providers to speak to students.

This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at Atlantic Academy for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

All pupils in years 8-13 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, assemblies and group discussions and taster events

• to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

A provider wishing to request access should contact Amanda Witney-Robins, Careers Officer, on 01237 477611 or at awitneyrobins@atlanticacademy.uk.

Opportunities for providers to speak with students may include school assemblies, employer and provider engagement events or opportunities to speak with students and parents on a one-to-one basis supporting GCSE, post 16 or post 18 option choices. Atlantic Academy’s Pathways and Enrichment programme is monitored for quality and impact by the Academy’s Senior Leadership and Governance Teams and monitoring of access to and opportunities to engage with, technical, vocational and training providers will form part of this process. Our careers education events include:

• Annual careers fair for all students

• Employer engagement visits for all students

• GCSE options events (Yr 9)

• Work experience (Y10) (24 - 28 June, 2024)

• College open days and events (Y10 and 11)

• Bespoke assemblies, careers presentations and events.

We are very keen to provide the highest quality work experience opportunities for our students - if you are able to support these opportunities, please contact our Careers Officer.

We have suitable presentation facilities, including a large hall which can accommodate students from all year groups, fully equipped classrooms and small group meeting rooms. Please feel free to contact us directly to discuss further your requirements for events, which you have in mind.

All requests will be considered on the basis of; staffing availability to support the activity, clashes with other planned activity, trips or visits to the Academy, interruption to preparation for examinations or rooming and space availability to host the activity. 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 the Careers Learning Cafe. The Resource Centre is available to all students at lunch and break times.