Benchmark 1: A Stable Careers Plan

Benchmark 1

A Stable Careers Programme

Every School & College should have an embedded careers programme that contains operational and strategic elements to ensure that students are given the opportunity to develop their careers education.

Key points from the Gatsby 10 Year Review

  • STABILITY
    IS IMPORTANT FOR PROGRESS – Stability is achieved through a careers programme
    that is structured: that is designed to meet the needs of young people, has
    clearly defined staff roles and responsibilities, and regular evaluation to
    ensure continued effectiveness. The careers programme should align with the
    institution’s vision, priorities and development plans.
  • STRUCTURING
    THE CAREERS PROGRAMME –   The careers
    programme should be sequenced appropriately, underpinned by learning outcomes
    and linked to a whole-school development plan.
  • THE
    ROLE OF THE CAREERS LEADER IS CRUCIAL – 
    Careers leaders are responsible for developing and directing a careers
    programme, bringing together the component parts into a coherent whole, but
    they cannot deliver it alone

    TRAINED
    CAREERS LEADERS HAVE EVEN GREATER IMPACT – The training has helped them become
    more effective in their role and achieve more benchmarks in their
    institutions.40 Training will be an important part of the ongoing development
    and sustained effectiveness of this crucial role.

  • THE
    ROLE OF LEADERSHIP  –  Leaders have a crucial role to play. They set
    the direction and the values of their institution and they implement leadership
    structures that are effective for their setting. Leaders achieve quality
    careers guidance by thinking strategically about careers and using the
    benchmarks to review and develop their careers programme

    TAILORED
    AND EVIDENCE-BASED CAREERS PROGRAMMES – Activities should be purposeful,
    focused and tailored to the needs of young people. The focus should be on
    impact, informed by evidence.

    ENGAGING
    PARENTS AND CARERS – Although a considerable amount of information is shared
    with parents and carers, they are not always supported to make best use of it
    or to get involved in the opportunities offered. Parent and carer engagement
    goes beyond just sharing information or encouraging them to attend individual
    events. It equips parents and carers to have informed careers conversations and
    ensures they can better support their child’s career decisions.

    A
    WHOLE-STAFF ENDEAVOUR – Young people talk about careers to many different
    people, therefore all staff who support young people, not just teachers or
    subject staff, should know about the careers programme and how to signpost to
    further information and support.

GB1

Key Resources


Careers Strategy Torquay Girls’ Grammar School


Southmoor Website


Career Development Framework Handbook


Matrix Academy Trust website

For more information contact the Careers Hub team


careershub@somerset.gov.uk