Gatsby Benchmarks
Our careers programme meets the eight government-set ‘Gatsby Benchmarks’ in every area. Here’s what that looks like here at Wellfield: POLICY & PLAN. A summarised, parent/carer guide to the Gatsby Benchmarks can be found HERE. A summary and link information can be found below in each of the relevant sections.
Gatsby Benchmarks
Our CEIAG programme is designed to meet all the Gatbsy Benchmarks and target key transition periods for our pupils. This results in informed decisions for our pupils as they move into further and higher education, training and beyond. The full programme can be found in our plan, which can be downloaded above.
It is important that all our pupils understand the world of work and how to research and evaluate information. Key sources of information are: Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s LANCASHIRE LMI and Start Lancashire. Other useful sources of information are the National Careers Service, BBC Bitesize, and Lancashire Growth and you can find out more about different careers below.
The individual aspirations, achievements and needs of all our students are met through our CEIAG programme, we also challenge stereotypes and celebrate a diverse range of education and employment pathways ensuring we are fully compliant with the “Baker Clause”.
“The school meets the requirements of the Baker Clause, which requires schools to provide pupils in Years 8-13 with information about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships”. Ofsted report November 2021.
All CEIAG activities are tracked for each pupil, aspirations and intended destinations are monitored and post-16 applications and final destinations are tracked to prevent NEET and ensure appropriate and ambitious pathways.
CEIAG is linked to the curriculum through both embedded lessons and discrete activities such as tailored lessons, employer visits, speakers, extra-curricular activities and trips. We also fully engage with special events such as National Apprenticeships Week and National Careers Week to further enhance our student’s knowledge of life after Wellfield. The curriculum is enhanced by our work with local employers.
Each year group has at least one meaningful interaction with an employer or employee in each academic year. This comes through a variety of subject enhancements, speakers, trips, career fairs and mentoring sessions.
Students have at least two opportunities during their time at Wellfield Academy to visit a workplace and to learn about working life through work shadowing and meeting employees on-site. The main visits take place in Year 8 and in Year 10 (during work experience week). Students undertake preparation work to ensure that the visits are as meaningful as possible. Where practical, visits are allocated according to individual student interest.
When students are thinking about a future career there’s a lot to consider: our students are supported to meet and see a variety of education and training providers to assist them in making informed decisions, not only about their post-16 options, but for their futures. Below there are some of the most common education and training routes for young people. Please note that it is alright to change directions or to find something that suits you better – it just might take a bit longer. Sometimes, thinking about long-term preferences helps to make the shorter-term decisions.
Personal Guidance is a cornerstone of CEIAG provision. Mr West & Mrs Livesley, our Careers Leaders, are available for any student who requires Information, Advice or Guidance around Careers and different education pathways. All Students are given appointments with a Level 6 qualified advisor (Kelly Lyon) and further sessions are available on request or for any students unsure about their post-16 routes. Application sessions, interview and CV guidance and support is also available with Kelly Lyon from Career North.
One of the key measures of success for any school is the destinations data for former pupils as they transition into their post -16 options. Intended DESTINATION REPORT DATA with information on cohorts 2021. More information for pupils and families can be found via the government careers helpline, the National Careers Service, and Barclays LifeSkills.
Gatsby Benchmarks Explained
Most Common Education and Training routes for young people
A Levels | T Levels | Vocational | Apprenticeship | |
How many subjects? | 3 - 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Theory or practical? | Theory | Mixed |
More practical Some theory |
Practical |
Exam or coursework? | Exams |
Exam Coursework Work-based Project |
Coursework Smaller Exams |
Assessment at work Coursework |
Where? |
Sixth Form College |
College | College | Work |
Usual timetable | 4 - 5 days a week | 4 - 5 days a week + 45 days industry placement | 4 - 5 days a week |
4 days in work 1 day in college |
Entry Criteria (check individual courses) |
5 GCSE grade 5's (Some subjects require grade 6+) |
5 GCSE grade 4 - 5s |
For level 3: 5 GCSE grade 4 - 5s
For Level 2: 2 GCSE grade 4 - 5s
For Level 1 - 2 GCSE grade 3s |
For level 3: 5 GCSE grade 4 - 5s
For level 2: 2 GCSE grade 4-5s |