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Careers - Gatsby Benchmarks

 

What are the Gatsby Benchmarks?

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The Gatsby Benchmarks were developed to provide an evidence informed and practical definition of what good careers provision in schools really looks like. The Gatsby Foundation summarised this as eight benchmarks which are at the core of the Sixth Form’s Careers Programme.

The Sixth Form’s Careers Programmes have been developed to ensure that the eight Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance are covered fully.

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What does this involve?

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At the heart of the Gatsby Benchmarks is supporting students with making informed choices about their future career pathways. This is achieved through students engaging with employers and the workplace and linking in with university/apprenticeship providers throughout their time at the Sixth Form. It is important for them to develop an understanding of local and national labour market information and to have personal guidance tailored to their individual needs so that they can develop their career management skills and make informed and aspirational choices for their future.  We are proud of the achievements of our students and the excellent careers they embark on.

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How the Sixth Form meets the Gatsby Benchmarks is detailed below:

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Benchmark 1- A stable careers programme

  • Ongoing throughout the year - activities in tutor time and PSHE sessions with a particular focus on using Unifrog. 

  • Annual career audit

  • Targeted preparation programme starting in spring term of Year 12 to support students on planning for their next steps. 

  • Careers google classrooms with careers advice and updated regularly with valuable careers advice and work experience opportunities. This is tailored to specific year groups and is also available to parents.  


 

Benchmark 2 - Learning from career and labour market information

  • Use of Unifrog in tutor time and PSHE/ Skills sessions

  • Information available to pupils, staff and parents on website and also in the Careers google classroom. 

 

Benchmark 3 - Addressing the needs of each student

  • 1:1 careers mentoring meetings with Mrs Pascoe. Students can refer via their tutor. Staff and parents can refer directly via email: epascoe@msnsixth.com.

  • Referrals to external services

  • Workshops for groups of students, eg Interview technique, applying for apprenticeships, applying to US universities. 


 

Benchmark 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers

  • Careers advice discussed in subject areas

  • Displays in curriculum areas/ google classrooms updated with relevant advice and information

  • Careers discussed in subject leaders meeting annually to ensure the information delivered to pupils is correct and accurate.

  • Sixth Form tutor and PSHE programme reviewed annually to ensure careers programme is up to date and relevant. 


 

Benchmark 5 - Encounters with employers

  • Termly assemblies with professionals from industry or HE vocational training providers

  • National Apprenticeship Service support

  • Wainwright apprenticeship workshops

  • Speakers for Schools Vtalks and virtual work experience

  • Uptree webinar & workshop programme

  • Young Professionals UK workshops, webinars and work experience

  • Springpod Work Experience

  • UCAS & Unifrog workplace case studies

  • Careerpilot workplace case studies


 

Benchmark 6- Experience of work places

  • Year 12 work experience/ placement opportunity - summer term

  • Year 12 /13 Experience days at universities, such as Access to Law and Medical related conferences at local hospitals

  • Virtual webinars and workshops

  • Super Curricular activities


 

Benchmark 7 - Encounters with further and higher education

  • Termly assemblies

  • Year 12 Visit to Bristol University and visit the HE UCAS convention. 

  • Students supported to visit HE providers.

  • Year 12 visit to Oxbridge Conference and HE & Apprenticeship Fair

  • Students are encouraged to engage with outreach opportunities  and summer schools.


 

Benchmark 8 - Personal Guidance

  • Career path and Next Steps planning as part of personal tutoring sessions

  • 1:1 Careers Information, Advice and Guidance support from Level 6 qualified Careers Adviser

  • Mock interviews for employment and apprenticeship available from employers, such as Wainwrights

  • Mock interviews for HE applications from Sixth Form HE application support team. 

  • UWE 1:1 interviews

  • Oxbridge Interview support and guidance

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