Belong Believe Become
The Gatsby Benchmarks
At Westwood Academy, careers education helps pupils develop aspirations, explore their strengths and prepare confidently for life beyond school.
Our careers programme is built around the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring that every pupil has access to meaningful guidance, encounters with employers and education providers, workplace experiences and support to make informed choices about their future.
Further information:
A Stable Careers Programme
Our careers programme is planned, regularly reviewed and embedded throughout the curriculum. Pupils, parents, carers and staff are informed about the opportunities available and how careers education supports progression.
Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
Pupils are supported to explore a wide range of career pathways and understand local and national labour market information. They are encouraged to consider how their interests, strengths and ambitions can influence future opportunities.
Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil
We recognise that every learner has individual needs and aspirations. Careers guidance and experiences are tailored to support pupils in making informed decisions and planning realistic and ambitious next steps.
Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
Staff help pupils understand how subjects and skills relate to future education, training and employment opportunities. Careers learning is embedded across the curriculum to ensure relevance and purpose.
Encounters with Employers and Employees
Pupils benefit from meaningful encounters with employers, employees and volunteers from a range of sectors. These experiences help broaden horizons, challenge stereotypes and inspire future aspirations.
Experiences of Workplaces
Where appropriate, pupils are provided with opportunities to experience workplaces through visits, work experience and vocational learning, enabling them to develop employability skills and gain insight into the world of work.
Encounters with Further and Higher Education
Pupils are introduced to a range of post-16 pathways, including sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships and training providers. They are encouraged to explore the opportunities available and understand the routes to achieving their goals.
Personal Guidance
All pupils have access to impartial and independent careers guidance to help them identify suitable pathways and make informed choices. We work closely with families and external agencies to ensure that pupils receive the support they need to achieve successful transitions.
Through our careers programme, we aim to ensure that every young person leaves our school with increased confidence, raised aspirations and a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them. We are committed to equipping pupils with the skills, knowledge and resilience required to become successful learners, responsible citizens and active participants in modern society.
Qualifications and Accreditation
Pupils work towards meaningful qualifications and accreditation, building the knowledge, confidence and resilience needed for their next steps.
Careers and Future Pathways
Careers education, work-related learning and personalised guidance help pupils explore their strengths, aspirations and future opportunities.
Independence for Adult Life
Practical learning develops the skills pupils need for life beyond Westwood, including communication, organisation, employability and independent living.
