Information for Staff
Careers Across the Curriculum
At The Link School, we believe that all of our staff play an important role in preparing learners for their future post-16 education, training and careers. Careers education is most effective when it is embedded across the curriculum, helping learners understand the relevance of their learning and the opportunities it can lead to and by linking subject areas to real-world employment opportunities. Developing these meaningful curriculum links enables learners to recognise how the knowledge and skills they develop in lessons connect to future pathways, training and employment.
Gatsby Benchmarks
All benchmarks are important for staff to be aware of but Gatsby Benchmark 4 – Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers states that all teachers should link curriculum learning with careers.
Research from the International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS) shows that embedding careers within the curriculum can improve learner engagement, raise aspirations and lead to better educational outcomes. When learners understand how their learning relates to future careers and the wider world of work, they are more motivated and better equipped to make informed decisions about their futures.
How We Support Staff
The Careers Team works closely with curriculum leaders and teaching staff to support the delivery of careers across the curriculum through:
- Curriculum mapping
- Careers-linked lesson ideas and teaching resources
- Employer engagement, guest speakers and workplace visits
- Staff CPD
- Labour Market Information (LMI) resources
- Careers updates
- Support with embedding Gatsby Benchmark 4 across subject areas
Resources
Staff can access a wide range of careers resources, including:
- Careers Learning Journeys/curriculum mapping
- Careers in the Curriculum guidance
- Unifrog resources
- Employer, Alumni and Partnership opportunities
- Labour Market Information (LMI)
- Careers updates
Our two site Staff Share areas have dedicated careers resources, links to relevant websites and specific subject and activity resources for NAW, NCW and NGCW throughout the year.
Useful Careers Resources
The following websites provide excellent resources to support careers learning within your subject area.
- Careers & Enterprise Company – Gatsby Benchmark 4 guidance, resources and best practice.
- National Careers Service – Career profiles, labour market information and pathway guidance.
- Skills Builder – Resources to develop the eight essential employability skills.
- Unifrog – Careers, apprenticeships, university pathways, LMI and teaching resources.
- BBC Bitesize Careers – Career videos, quizzes and guidance
- Amazing Apprenticeships – Apprenticeship resources, assemblies and classroom activities.
- Speakers for Schools – Employer talks, virtual work experience and industry encounters.
- Inspiring the Future – Connect with employer volunteers for talks, mentoring and workplace visits.
- Founders4Schools – Employer engagement, speakers and business partnerships.
- iCould – Career videos, personal stories and the Buzz Quiz.
- My Path – Short Careers videos with LMI information and suitable from KS2
- Awareness Days Calendar 2026-27
Contact
Link School Springwell Dene
Swindon Road, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR3 4EE
Tel: 0191 5623630
Email: caroline.granton@linkschool.org.uk
Office Opening Times
Mon-Thurs: 8am – 4:30pm
Friday: 8am – 4pm
Link School Pallion
Waverley Terrace, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR4 6TA
Tel: 0191 5623640
Email: caroline.granton@linkschool.org.uk
