The Baker Clause
Introduced as an amendment to the Technical and Further Education Act 2017, the Baker Clause stipulates that schools must allow colleges and training providers access to every student in years 8- 13 to discuss non-academic routes that are available to them (See Appendix A).
It is expected that by doing so this will help address the UK’s productivity challenges and address skills shortages experienced across several sectors of the economy.
This regulation has been enforced since January 2nd 2018.
The Department for Education’s Statutory guidance for governing bodies, school leaders and school staff sets out the expectations of schools which includes:
- Every school must ensure that there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access all pupils in year 8 to year 13 for the purpose of informing them about approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships.
- Every school must publish a policy statement setting out their arrangements for provider access and ensure that it is followed.
Provider Access Legislation
In January 2023, the updated provider access legislation (PAL) comes into effect. It specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all their students:
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend
The new legislation aims to help learners understand and apply for both apprenticeships and a broad range of technical education options including T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.
Saint Benedict’s Policy Statement
Students in Years 8 – 11 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;
- hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options evening’s, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;
- understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.