The Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks are 8 standards that have been set out to ensure that young people receive a high-quality Careers Education. All Careers provision that is offered at Harris Academy Falconwood is based around this framework to ensure that our young people are given the correct and most appropriate advice when it comes to Careers.

The 8 Benchmarks are as follows:

1. A stable careers programme – The HAF Careers programme is fully supported by the Senior Leadership Team and is seen as a fundamental element of child development. Furthermore, we regulate the standard of our careers programme by using Compass+. 

2. Learning from career and labour market information - Every pupil, and their parents, should have access to good-quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. Our young people at HAF are extremely lucky to have two expert advisors, details can be found above. 

3. Addressing the needs of each pupil - Staff at HAF are determined to help raise the aspirations of our young people to assist them in fulfilling their potential. All our young people are different at HAF with bespoke needs, wants and ambitions, our Careers Education Programme endeavours to cater for the needs of all to allow them to progress. 

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers -All subjects highlight the importance of Careers in their curriculum throughout the course of the year, whereby it is highlighted to students the different Careers opportunities available in that subject. 

5. Encounters with employers and employees - Every pupil should have opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace.  

6. Experiences of workplaces - Year 10 HAF students usually carry out a one-week work experience placement, this allows our young people to experience the world of work and fully understand the skills that are required to be successful. However, this year our year 10 students will be conducting a virtual work experience programme provided by Reed Recruitment company. In additional, Years 9, 11, 12 and 13 have been offered experiences in specific virtual work experiences. 

7. Encounters with further and higher education - All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace. The young people at HAF have regular and sustained 

8. Personal guidance - Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career's adviser. At Harris Academy Falconwood we are extremely privileged to two experienced careers advisors, currently Lesley Tannock (Harris Federation Careers Lead) is working with our young people every Monday and Julie Smith is with us every second Thursday. We believe this to be a comprehensive package for the young people at HAF.