UNDERSTANDING THE GATSBY BENCHMARKS

In 2013, Gatsby commissioned Sir John Holman to set out what career guidance in England would be like if it were good by international standards, resulting in the Good Career Guidance report. The eight Gatsby Benchmarks defined in the report provide a framework for excellent careers provision and ensure that students are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions in advance of their key stage transitions, about their future education, training, employment and life as an adult member of society.

The Gatsby Benchmarks form the bedrock of the careers programme at St Peter’s and are embedded within the CEIAG Policy.

THE ST PETER'S CAREERS PROGRAMME

The St Peter’s Careers Route Map illustrates the provision every student and their parents can expect at St Peter’s.  This includes access to careers information, advice and guidance through a planned programme of education in tutor times and Citizenship lessons and activities and events including Whole School Careers Day, Speed Networking events, business visits, mock interviews, 1:1 guidance and work experience.

CAREERS IN THE CURRICULUM

The impact of subject teachers in terms of supporting careers learning in school should not be underestimated.

• Subject teachers are highly influential – students are 18 times more likely to be motivated to learn if their teachers know their hopes and dreams.

• Students feel more engaged in their learning when they perceive the relevance of what they are studying to their own and other people’s lives.

• Students are given the opportunity to develop their career thinking and to acquire important career management and employability skills.

• Students become more aspirational, understanding that perceived barriers can be overcome and that there are numerous pathways to success.

• Employer engagement during school years reduces the likelihood of a young person becoming NEET and increases the amount young adults earn once in full-time employment.

(source: Careers and Enterprise Company)

WHAT DO TEACHERS NEED TO KNOW?

The focus for teachers is around Gatsby Benchmark 4 - Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers.

WHAT CAN TEACHERS DO?

If you are looking for inspiration please consider the following ideas or contact the Careers Lead Sarah Calvert for support.

1. Develop careers displays in your classrooms. Ensure they remain up to date with relevant data and opportunities. Reference them in your lessons so students know to refer to them for information. The careers department can help you with resources.
2. Invite an alumni who studied your subject to talk about their career journey.
3. Make explicit links to employability skills being developed in lessons i.e.  communication, problem-solving, teamwork.
4. Find opportunities to reference careers related to lesson content.
5. Challenge stereotypes surrounding your subject.
6. Set careers research as homework.
7. Introduce a case study of a successful person who has studied the subject.
8. At the start of a topic, link the theme to the wider world to include career roles.
9. Talk to each KS about the benefit of your subject in the next KS.

USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Please look at the ‘Careers Resources for Teachers’ in the Careers Folder or speak to the Careers Lead.