Careers and Guidance

At St Vincent's school we are dedicated to providing inclusive and high-quality career guidance for our young people. We follow the Gatsby Benchmarks, a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision in schools and colleges.

What are Gatsby Benchmarks?

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a set of 8 guidelines that schools follow to offer comprehensive and effective careers guidance to their students, regardless of a young persons needs. They are designed to ensure that students are fully prepared for the diverse opportunities in the world of work.

The 8 Gatsby Benchmarks

1. A Stable Careers Programme

Our school offers a structured and inclusive careers programme accessible to all students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.

2. Learning from Career and Labour Market Information

We provide accessible, high-quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities, ensuring all materials are available in formats suitable for students with visual impairments.

3. Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil

Our programme is designed to meet the individual needs of each student, challenging stereotypes and raising aspirations, while being mindful of accessibility requirements.

4. Linking Curriculum to Careers

We ensure that all students, including those with visual impairments, understand how the skills they learn in school apply to the workplace through accessible teaching methods and resources.

5. Encounters with Employers and Employees

Students have opportunities to engage with employers and learn about various roles, ensuring these interactions are accessible and inclusive for all.

6. Experiences of Workplaces

We arrange workplace experiences that are inclusive and supportive, allowing all students to explore career opportunities in environments that accommodate their needs.

7. Encounters with Further and Higher Education

Our students have the chance to engage with further and higher education providers, with events and materials adapted to ensure accessibility for all.

8. Personal Guidance

Every student receives tailored guidance from a trained careers adviser, equipped to address the unique needs of students with visual impairments.

Implementing the Benchmarks

At St Vincent's School, we prioritise making sure our careers strategy is tailored to a young persons interests and aspirations. Our dedicated careers team regularly reviews and updates our programme to align with new emerging professions and industry standards and ensure they are accessible for all students.

For more information about our careers programme, please contact our Careers Leader Mr McSorley via the school office. We are committed to providing support and resources tailored to each student's needs.