Full marks for 6 Leeds schools
Supported by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Batley Girls High School, Upper Batley High School, Scissett Middle School, Whitcliffe Mount School, Carlton Bolling College and Roundhay School are all celebrating their efforts in achieving all 8 Gatsby Career Benchmarks making up 20% of schools nationally to have made the same achievement.
The benchmark scheme was first introduced by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to define world class career guidance for schools and colleges nationally and has since been adopted by the government as part of the UK’s Careers Strategy.
The LEP supports schools to achieve these benchmarks through a variety of initiatives including the #futuregoals campaign*, Kirklees Careers Hub* and the Enterprise Adviser Network*.
Roger Marsh OBE, Chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership said:
“It is believed that there are just 31 schools who have achieved all 8 Gatsby Career Benchmarks nationally, so to have 20% of those schools here in Leeds City Region is a fantastic achievement.”
“Delivering excellent careers guidance is vital to building a strong and resourceful future workforce, and as a result of our #futuregoals campaign and Enterprise Adviser Network, we are able to offer schools and young people the chance to feel inspired, meet with local employers, visit the workplace and prepare for their future career.”
The eight Gatsby Career Benchmarks include: ‘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 or employees’, ‘Experiences of the workplace’, ‘Encounters with further and higher education’ and ‘Personal guidance’*.
Evidence shows that a young person who has 4 or more encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training, and can earn up to 18% more in their career.
Last year, the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership created almost 33,000 new business encounters for young people, supported 180 schools and engaged with over 250 senior leaders in businesses to deliver careers guidance across the region.
Nial Sherrard Careers Lead at Upper Batley High School said:
“It’s important to us that our learners leave school fully prepared for their future, so we’re delighted that this has been recognised by achieving all 8 Gatsby Career Benchmarks.”
David Cooper Co-Head at Batley Girls High School said:
“Working with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership has helped us to access local employers and career and labour market information that is fun and easy to understand, meaning our students can take control of their own learning and develop their understanding of the labour market and workplace.”
The LEP is reaching out to schools and businesses to come together and increase the amount of schools achieving the 8 Gatsby Career Benchmarks, giving young people the skills and experience they need to reach their #futuregoals.
Young people, teachers and parents are being encouraged to visit www.futuregoals.co.uk for careers inspiration and labour market information.
Employers are being asked to ‘give an hour’ of their time to inspire young people or commit further by joining the Enterprise Adviser Network. For more information employers can visit www.futuregoals.co.uk/employers