Gatsby Benchmarks

Our Careers Programme and the Gatsby Benchmarks

At Esteem South Academy, our main goal is to prepare students for a successful future. We use the Gatsby Benchmarks to make sure our careers education is high quality.

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a set of eight standards for careers guidance. They help us give students the best possible advice and opportunities so they can make good decisions about their future.

How We Follow the Benchmarks

We have built the Gatsby Benchmarks into everything we do. Here’s how we meet each one:

1. A Clear Careers Plan We have a clear careers programme led by a dedicated Careers Leader. Everyone at the academy knows the plan, including students, staff, and parents. This means careers education is a team effort.

2. Learning About Jobs and the Job Market We give students up-to-date information on the job market, apprenticeships, and what to do after age 16. We use tools and work with local partners to help students understand growing industries and in-demand skills. This helps them make informed choices.

3. Meeting Each Student's Needs We know our students have different needs. Our careers programme is personal to each student. We give extra support to those with special educational needs (SEND).

4. Connecting Schoolwork to Careers Our teachers show students how what they learn in class is useful for a range of jobs. This helps students see the value in their schoolwork and how it leads to a career.

5. Meeting Employers and Staff We arrange for students to meet people from different industries. This includes guest speakers and workshops. These meetings give students a real look at the world of work and the skills employers want. Our work with the Derbyshire Educations Business Partnership helps us do this.

6. Experiencing the Workplace Before they leave, all students get at least one chance to experience a workplace. This might be a visit, a work placement, or shadowing a professional. These experiences are key for exploring career options.

7. Learning About Further and Higher Education We make sure our students understand all their options for after school. This includes college, apprenticeships, and university. We show them that all these paths can lead to success.

8. Personal Advice Every student at Esteem South Academy has access to one-to-one advice from a qualified careers adviser. These meetings let students discuss their goals and create a plan for their future.