Careers
GATSBY BENCHMARK 4, LINKING CURRICULUM LEARNING TO CAREERS EXPLAINED
WHAT IS A GATSBY BENCHMARK?
Gatsby Benchmarks | The Careers and Enterprise Company
In our careers work we are governed by a set of standards called Gatsby Benchmarks. There are 8 of these and we work incredibly hard at North Chadderton School in order to meet these standards and even go above and beyond. Gatsby Benchmark 4 is a particular area in which teaching staff can help us to excel. This benchmark requires, “all teachers to link curriculum learning with careers”
GATSBY BENCHMARK 4, LINKING CURRICULUM LEARNING TO CAREERS
“Careers in the curriculum describes a range of interventions which allow students to encounter career learning as part of their everyday school curriculum.”
You can read more about this benchmark by clicking below:
Gatsby Benchmark 4 | CEC Resource Directory (careersandenterprise.co.uk)
WHY DO WE NEED CAREERS WORK IN THE CURRICULUM?
One of the ways we can improve our careers guidance and ensure that our students are well prepared for the world beyond school and are confident enough to make good decisions, is to embed the careers education into the curriculum.
THE BENEFITS OF LINKING CAREERS TO THE CURRICULUM
It seems obvious that if students know why they are in a lesson, then they are more likely to engage. We have all heard at some point the student who asks, “Why are we doing this? When am I going to find this useful after school?” It has also been proven that if a young person has a goal beyond school, then they are more likely to engage in their education. This gives them a tangible reason to achieve. Obviously, their aims and future goals will change as they mature over time - this is normal. It is not the specific chosen end result that is key here, it is simply having a reason to shoot for that goal which is important – purpose, ambition, aspiration and hope are the things that motivate us.
Finally, an embedded, stable careers program produces well prepared students who will be more successful, happy, settled and confident in later life. This is because we are preparing them for what is beyond us. Helping them become aware of what the fast-paced future job market will look like, preparing them to be lifelong learners, helping them to become adaptable and to become good decision makers.
WHAT DO WE DO AT NORTH CHADDERTON SCHOOL?
We embed careers through our curriculum delivery of PDP (Personal Development Programme) and a half term module of Careers based lessons is taught in Years 7 to 13.
The module ensures students are equipped and confident to make the choices that become available to them during the different stages of their secondary education.
Careers Resources
We have a well-resourced careers library situated in the Careers Office and Sixth Form College with supplementary information available in the School Library.
Students are encouraged to access an extensive range of careers related information and helpful websites on the school's SharePoint site. All students have access to the careers digital information screen on the first floor and the information board outside the Careers Office, these are regularly updated with a wide range of information and exciting opportunities
Careers Events
The school organises a wide range of events and activities to provide information, inspire students and enhance employer engagement:
- Opportunities to listen and interact with external speakers from a range of occupations and professions through assemblies, subject and PDP lessons.
- Work experience for Year 10 and 12
- Annual Vocational Career, Training provider and Apprenticeship Fair.
- Apprenticeships event for Parents – Yr10-Yr12. An opportunity to learn about apprenticeships and meet representatives from local apprenticeship providers.
- Futures Weeks for all year groups
- Career focused visits to a range of Business and Professional Companies
- An interactive, activity filled Careers month during March
- Mock interviews and support for CV and application form writing from our Business Partners for Year 11 and 13
- Taster days at Local Colleges
- Opportunities for students to explore alternative 14-19 pathways through visits, speakers, taster days and personalised programmes
- Wide range of opportunities for Sixth Form students to attend University and Higher-Level Apprenticeship taster days.
- Students to link with redbrick universities, taster day presentations
- Young Enterprise / Enterprise Academy
- A variety of local and national competitions to develop employability skills
- STEM events.