Parliamentary.ai

Overview

This bill mandates that all schools in England must allow access to their premises and students by representatives from post-16 education providers and career guidance services. This access must be granted upon request and without charge.

Description

The Careers Guidance (Access to Schools) Bill amends the Education Act 1997 and the Academies Act 2010. It introduces a legal obligation for schools and academies in England to provide free access to their facilities and students for:

• Providers of 16-18 education and training (including further education, but excluding higher education).
• Providers of careers guidance.

Access must be provided upon request from these providers. The bill clarifies the definitions of "further education" and "higher education" within the context of these amendments.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly increase government spending. The cost of providing access to schools is placed on the schools themselves rather than being funded directly by the government. No specific figures are provided within the bill text.

Groups Affected

The bill will primarily affect:

• Schools and Academies in England: They will be legally required to grant access to their premises and students, potentially impacting their scheduling and resources.
• Post-16 Education Providers: They will gain easier access to potential students, allowing for more effective recruitment and career guidance.
• Career Guidance Providers: Similar to post-16 providers, they will have improved access to students to deliver their services.
• Students: They will have increased exposure to a wider range of post-16 education and career options.