For us, The Gatsby Foundation Benchmarks provide a national framework for high-quality careers education, helping schools deliver programmes that inspire young people and prepare them for their futures.

At Isebrook School, however, this achievement is about much more than meeting a framework. It reflects a culture where future readiness is woven into everyday learning, empowering learners to discover their strengths, build confidence and explore the many opportunities available to them.

Every experience is designed with one question in mind:

How can this help prepare our learners for adulthood? 

What does it mean to this individual learner?

One of Isebrook's greatest strengths is its commitment to meaningful, high-quality work experience.

The school believes that work experience should not be viewed as a one or two-week event, but as an ongoing journey that allows learners to develop confidence, independence and employability skills over time.

Throughout the year, learners have enjoyed a wide range of experiences that reflect their interests and aspirations. From supporting local charities and community organisations to gaining insight into manufacturing, construction, retail and hospitality, every placement is carefully planned to ensure it is beneficial for both learners and employers.

 

Each opportunity has enabled learners to develop practical skills while making genuine contributions to their local community.

This achievement has also been made possible through the school's growing network of employer and community partnerships.

Over the past year, Isebrook has worked alongside organisations from a wide range of industries, creating opportunities that extend far beyond traditional careers talks.

Learners have met professionals, visited workplaces, co-designed learning environments, explored new sectors, completed real life industry projects and developed relationships with employers who are passionate about supporting young people with SEND.

These partnerships are built on collaboration, ensuring experiences are meaningful, accessible and beneficial for everyone involved. They have helped challenge perceptions, demonstrating the valuable skills and talents that young people with SEND bring to the workplace.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Careers education at Isebrook extends far beyond preparing learners for employment.

It is about helping young people develop communication, teamwork, resilience, independence and self-belief.

Whether learners are presenting ideas to professionals, volunteering within their community, taking part in enterprise projects or visiting local businesses, every experience contributes towards developing the confidence and life skills needed for adulthood.

The school is passionate about ensuring learners understand not only the opportunities available to them, but also the important role they can play within their communities.

Working Together Across Creating Tomorrow

Isebrook's success is also a wonderful example of collaboration across Creating Tomorrow Trust.

Many of the opportunities available to learners have been developed through trust-wide partnerships, allowing schools to share employer relationships, community connections and examples of best practice.

Celebrating an Incredible Achievement

Achieving 100% of the Gatsby Benchmarks is something the whole school community should be incredibly proud of.

It reflects a vision that places learners at the centre of every decision, values meaningful employer engagement and recognises that preparing young people for adulthood requires creativity, collaboration and ambition.

A huge congratulations goes to the dedicated careers team, led by Ryan Storey and Lesley Chattaway, alongside every member of staff who contributes to creating these opportunities. Their commitment, alongside the support of employers, families and community partners, ensures learners continue to access experiences that inspire confidence, broaden aspirations and prepare them for successful futures.

We are extremely lucky to be part of a wonderful hub, South Midlands Careers Hub, who have a wonderful SEND career consultant – Sarah Latimer, who has been instrumental in supporting us.

Most importantly, congratulations to our fantastic learners, who continue to embrace every opportunity with enthusiasm, curiosity and determination.

We look forward to building on this success and continuing to create even more opportunities that empower our learners, strengthen our communities and prepare every young person for a bright and fulfilling future.

The passionate team are still on the lookout for more to suit the varying needs of learners' interests, so if you would like to get involved, please do get in touch. We would really love to hear from you.