Benchmark 7
Encounters with Further & Higher Education
All students should understand the range of learning opportunities that are available to them and must be presented with meaningful encounters with a range of providers that offer post 16 provision.
It is important that these encounters present both academic and technical routes that students can follow to ensure they are continuing their learner journey to suit their next best steps.
What does good look like?
- By the age of 16 (End of Key Stage 4) students should have had a meaningful encounters with a full range of post 16 providers that includes Further Education Colleges, Sixth Forms, Universities, Apprenticeship Providers and Independent Training Providers.
- In line with Careers Guidance & Access for Training Providers (2021) students should be having 2 meaningful encounters with providers by the end Key Stage 3, with a further 2 by the end of Key Stage 4.
- By the age of 18 (End of Key Stage 5) all students that are considering applying to university should have had at least two visits to universities to have meaningful encounters with staff & students that have been organised by their current provider in addition to what they have done in their own time
- These encounters should be meaningful in that students understand the full range of post 16 options available to them; A Levels, T Levels BTECS, Apprenticeships, Traineeships & Support Internships. Their encounters with higher education should include not just degree study but also higher level apprenticeships.
- Establishing good relationships with multiple local providers is key; students should have the opportunity to visit a range of providers but providers should also be invited to deliver information within the students current provider.
Key Resources
For more information contact the Careers Hub team
