Partnerships

Newminster Middle School is an outward facing organisation and recognises the mutual benefits of working in partnership with a number or local organisations. The number and strength of these partnerships will continue to grow as engagement with external providers increases.

Current partnerships include:

  • formal arrangements with external providers of careers guidance and others 
  • liaison with post 16 providers, further/higher education institutions 
  • employers and training/apprenticeship providers 
  • Parents and carers 
  • Alumni
  • STEM HUBS
  • Inspiring the Future
  • North East Combined Authority 

The school will make use of local partnerships to provide pupils with information on the local labour market and employer expectations. The information provided through the partnership will be used to shape career guidance and workshops in schools.

We are keen to build new partnerships with local employers from a range of different sectors with a view to providing our pupils with an immersive learning experience which enables and empowers them to make informed choices at the next phase of their learning journey and beyond. We recognise the commitment that is required in order to host a school visit or deliver an on site workshop and are deeply appreciative of all our working partners. 

When an employer interaction is planned you will be provided with core aims and objectives for the activity / event in order for all those involved to get the most out of the encounter. 

Meaningful encounters will give pupils the opportunity to learn:

  • What work is like
  • What skills are valued in the workplace
  • What the recruitment process involves
  • What it takes to be successful

Every year, from the age of 9, pupils will participate in at least one meaningful encounter with an employer; at least one of these encounters will be with a STEM employer or workplace. These encounters will be facilitated through:

  • Careers events such as careers talks, careers days, British Science Day and through the Personal Development Programme
  • Transition workshops at all phases including First to Middle  and Middle to High schools. These workshops aim to prepare pupils for the next phase of their learning journey
  • Extensive and robust  Mentoring via a range of avenues within the pastoral system, all aimed at developing confidence, self esteem, general communication, literacy and numeracy skills
  • Employer delivered employability workshops

Encounters will be in person, or a combination of in person and virtual. Virtual encounters will be used only in addition to, not as a replacement for, in person encounters.

 The school will engage with local employers, businesses and professional networks, inviting visiting speakers, particularly alumni with whom pupils can relate to.

Provider Access Policy Statement 

Rationale

High quality careers education and guidance in school or college is critical to young people’s futures. It helps to prepare them for the workplace by providing a clear understanding of the world of work including the routes to jobs and careers that they might find engaging and rewarding. It supports them to acquire the self-development and career management skills they need to achieve positive employment destinations. This helps students to choose their pathways, improve their life opportunities and contribute to a productive and successful economy.

As the number of apprenticeships rises every year, it becomes increasingly important that all young people have a full understanding of all the options available to them post-16 and post-18 including wider technical education options such as T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.

Commitment 

Newminster Middle School Name is committed to ensuring there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access students, for the purpose of informing them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.  The INSERT School Name is fully aware of the responsibility to set students on the path that will secure the best outcome which will enable them to progress in education and work and give employers the highly skilled people they need. That means acting impartially, in line with the statutory duty, and not showing bias towards any route, be that academic or technical.

Newminster Middle School endeavours to ensure that all students are aware of all routes to higher skills and are able to access information on technical options and apprenticeships (The Department of Education, July 2021: “Baker Clause”: supporting students to understand the full range of education and training options, and the Provider Access Legislation, January 2023).

Aims 

The Newminster Middle School policy for Access to other education and training providers has the following aims:

To develop the knowledge and awareness of our students of all career pathways available to them, including technical qualifications and apprenticeships.

To support young people to be able to learn more about opportunities for education and training outside of school before making crucial choices about their future options.

To reduce drop out from courses and avoid the risk of students becoming NEET (Young people not in education, employment or training) in the future.

Student Entitlement 

Newminster Middle School fully supports the statutory requirement for students to have direct access to other providers of further education training, technical training and apprenticeships.  The school will comply with the new legal requirement to organise encounters with providers of approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships. This will be delivered via assemblies, The Careers Conference and the Personal Development Programme. 

During these sessions, at a minimum, providers will be given enough time to:

  • Share information about the provider and the approved technical qualifications and apprenticeships they offer
  • Explain what career routes these qualifications and apprenticeships could lead to
  • Provide insights into what it might be like to learn or train with that provider
  • Answer pupils’ questions

A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students and/or their parents/carers as necessary. We have a number of themed days and events within the school calendar:-

  • Health and wellbeing day
  • British Science Day
  • Hopes and dreams day
  • Personal Development Programme Careers Unit of Work
  • Curriculum specific input

Links with other policies

It supports and is underpinned by key school policies including those for Careers, Child Protection, Equality and Diversity, and SEND

Equality and Diversity

Access to other providers is available and promoted to allow all students to access information about other providers of further education and apprenticeships. Newminster Middle School is committed to encouraging all students to make decisions about their future based on impartial information. 

Requests for access

Requests for access should be directed to Mrs Sumeena Razzaqi, Careers Leader. Mrs Razzaqi may be contacted by telephone or email,[email protected], Tel 01670 513621.

Details of premises or facilities to be provided to a person who is given access

Newminster Middle School will provide an appropriate room or assembly hall to be agreed. All rooms have computers, projectors and screens provided. Computer rooms can also be arranged. The Careers Leader or Careers Adviser will organise this, working closely with the provider to ensure the facilities are appropriate to the audience.  Appropriate safeguarding checks will be carried out.  Providers will be met and supervised by a member of the Careers Team who will facilitate.Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature that may be used as a reference point later.

Live/Virtual encounters

Newminster Middle School will consider live online encounters with providers where requested, and these may be broadcast into classrooms or the school assembly hall. Technology checks in advance will be required to ensure compatibility of systems. 

Parents and Carers

Parental involvement is encouraged, and parents may be invited to offer workshops.