Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) maintained schools, (2) academies, and (3) free schools, invited outside organisations to provide careers guidance and advice to their pupils in the academic years (a) 2013–14, (b) 2014–15, and (c) 2015–16.

The Government does not collect data on the number of schools that invite outside organisations to provide careers advice and guidance to pupils.

Schools have a duty to secure independent careers guidance on the full range of education and training options, including apprenticeships and other technical education options. Sources of independent careers guidance can include, but not be limited to, external organisations such as education and training providers, employers and careersprofessionals.

The Government’s statutory guidance on careers is clear that schools should give other providers who wish to do so the opportunity to engage with pupils, on school premises, to inform them directly about what they offer. These could include further education and sixth form colleges, studio schools, university technical colleges and employers and other providers delivering apprenticeships.

The Government has established The Careers & Enterprise Company to increase the level of employer input into schools. The Company’s Enterprise Adviser Network is now live in over 1,300 secondary schools and colleges across the country, connecting young people with local employers to provide experiences of the workplace.

Careers organisations provide another external source of advice and guidance. The statutory guidance encourages schools to consult a register of accredited careers organisations when securing access to face-to-face careers guidance.