The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision in schools and colleges. The national careers strategy is built around them, becoming new Statutory Guidance for careers in January 2018 to be fully embedded by 2020. The Gatsby Benchmarks originated in a research report (Good Career Guidance) from the Gatsby Foundation in 2013.
The report was commissioned by Lord Sainsbury and Sir John Holman was appointed to lead a research team to focus on international evidence for ‘what works’ in career development. Since January last year, we have been working as a school and college on the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks.
Jenny Bayliss, Deputy Headteacher, has worked with Enterprise coordinator Penny Heys and Andrea Huggett, PSHE lead in school, to document our existing good practice, as well as a range of other activities including submitting a bid for funding to create ideas for developing employment opportunities for our pupils / students. At the Lancashire Careers Hub Conference on June 20th, Jenny Bayliss was delighted to receive our certificate of recognition in achieving 7 out of the 8 benchmarks, which was presented by Sir John Holman.