Gatsby Benchmarks at Cardinal Newman
1. A Stable Careers Programme.
Every school and college should have an embedded stable careers programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers and employers.
At Cardinal Newman we have developed our careers programme following feedback from pupil, parent / carer, and teacher voice. We use Future Skills Questionnaires to ensure our students are receiving, understanding, and benefitting from their careers programme.
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 will need the support of an informed adviser to make best use of available information.
Along with lessons on labour market information, we also have a comprehensive guide on our school website for students, parents, and carers to access. This has been developed following on from parent and student surveys.
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil.
Pupils have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.
At Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, we are committed to ensure that the needs of each pupil at the different stages they are at, are fully met. We have planned a variety of age-appropriate sessions and opportunities for all students. We have also adapted our provision to allow for SEND, disadvantages and vulnerable pupils to access bespoke events.
4. Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers.
All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. For example, STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.
We continually strengthen careers learning across the curriculum and are currently building strong links between departments and employers to showcase clear, real‑world examples of how each subject is applied in different sectors.
5. Encounters with Employers.
Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.
At Cardinal Newman, students already enjoy a range of exciting opportunities to engage with employers through talks, mentoring and enrichment activities. We are continuing to expand these experiences and are actively developing new partnerships to ensure every pupil can learn first‑hand about the world of work and the skills valued across different industries.
6. Experiences of Workplaces.
Every pupil should have first-hand experiences* of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.
Experiences of workplaces is a focus at Cardinal Newman. In Year 10, our students complete a 5 day Work experience placement where they are developing their employability skills. At KS3 we have a number of opportunities for students to engage with and we are always looking to develop this offer. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill in our employer engagement form.
We are also part of the Future Ready Pilot. This innovative programme is designed to give students meaningful employer encounters and real‑world experiences to help them understand workplace skills, broaden their aspirations, and feel more confident about future pathways.
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.
Warrington Vale Royal, Priestley College, Carmel College and Riverside and Cronton College all engage regularly with students at Cardinal Newman through assemblies, visits and workshops.
8. Personal Guidance.
Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level.
Mrs Morris, our careers guidance consultant comes into school one day per week to deliver impartial and independent 1:1 careers advice and guidance, with Year 10 and 11 as a priority. She also supports Year 9 with option choices, through assembly and lunchtime drop-in sessions and offers the opportunity of 1:1 careers guidance to these students too.
