Careers 7-11 and Beyond
At Pinewood School we have developed the Careers Programme taking account of the Gatsby Benchmarks. This ensures that all pupils have access to a stable careers programme providing information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point.
The Gatsby Benchmarks have been altered slightly to fit SEN schools and recognise that each pupil is unique and working towards a different path. We provide our pupils with a meaningful programme that leads to positive outcomes for our learners. The programme is embedded throughout the school as part of our work related learning curriculum. With this in mind, we completed the careers benchmark tool, COMPASS, and we are currently achieving 100% in all areas. The school ensure that EHCPs align with careers support, with a focus on:
- Education and learning
- Social and communication skills
- Aspirations and goals for the future
- Self-help and Independence
For a more detailed look at our Careers programme, please see the links below.
Gatsby benchmarks – what are they?
The Gatsby Benchmarks originated in a research report from the Gatsby foundation in 2013. The research provides a comprehensive study of career development. The report found 8 benchmarks of best practice, which are now more commonly known as ‘The Gatsby Benchmarks’. They are:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
As a school we have also introduced an Information Evening for Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils and parents where local providers, employers and setting have stalls to encourage thinking and preparation for the pupils regarding their post 16 options. This has proven to be very successful and this year 100% of all families that attended said they felt it was helpful and relevant for Pinewood students. We received some very positive feedback from families including:
“Very informative evening with lots of information. Thank you for organising.”
“Very informative”
“The talk from the supported intern was fantastic”
The careers leader is Ms.Lina Adams. For any further information contact her in the first instance.