The Gatsby Benchmarks

GATSBY BENCHMARK 4

Linking curriculum learning to careers

WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE

All teachers link curriculum learning with careers.

  • Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subject teachers highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.
  • By the age of 14, every pupil has had the opportunity to learn how the different STEM subjects help people to gain entry to a wide range of careers.
  • All subject teachers emphasise the importance of suceeeding in English and Maths.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Subject teachers are highly influential – students are 18 times more likely to be motivated to learn if their teachers know their hopes and dreams.

  • Students feel more engaged in their learning when they perceive the relevance of what they are studying to their own and other people’s lives.
  • Students are given the opportunity to develop their career thinking and to acquire important career management and employability skills.

TOP TIPS FOR EMPLOYERS

  1. Visit the education, training and skills section of GOV.UK to find out what you need to know about the curriculum. Sign up for email alerts to stay well-informed.
  2. Read occasional reports from bodies such as the British Chambers of Commerce, the CBI and Education and Employers to develop your understanding of how employer inputs can help link the curriculum to careers.
  3. Take up invitations to participate in activities and events at options time. Students and their parents are particularly receptive to messages about careers around this time. Students choose subjects they will study up to age 16 in year 8 or 9 early in the spring term. Post-16 options are chosen towards the end of the summer term in year 10 and the first part of the autumn term in year 11. The key period for post-18 options is the second half of the summer term in year 12 and the autumn term in year 13.
  4. Work with subject teachers to develop problem-based challenges. These will show how the perspectives, methods and skills developed through subjects are used in working life to solve real problems.
  5. Volunteer as a presenter, adviser or judge to help the school or college run curriculum enrichment activities, such as STEM clubs, Young Enterprise, Dragons Den and Apprentice of the Year competitions.
  6. Bring examples of the equipment you use and the products you make to illustrate your presentations and give opportunities for hands-on experience.
  7. Support the initiatives the school is taking to help students recognise and counter stereotyped thinking about careers. This can include highlighting what your own organisation is doing to promote equal opportunities.
  8. Take advice from the school or college on how to pitch your presentation to students at the right level to maintain their interest and enable learning.
  9. Get in touch with your professional body to find out what resources they have developed to support careers in the curriculum.