Background to the Benchmarks
      •   Gatsby Foundation – Charitable Foundation of Lord Sainsbury
      •   Professor Sir John Holman
      •   Six International Visits – Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong, 
          Finland, Canada, Republic of Ireland.
      •   8 benchmarks of ‘Good Careers Guidance’ identified.
      •   Schools starting points in relation to the benchmarks tested via a 
          survey of 10% of schools in England. Findings combined with the 
          international research.
      •   National Pilot commissioned in 2015 to test how schools and 
          colleges can move from their starting points to a position of 
          achieving the benchmarks. Audit and Action Planning.
      •   2 year pilot in terms of intensive activity with the 
          schools/colleges, 4 year pilot in terms of data collection 
          independent external evaluation. 
  The 8 Benchmarks
       North East – Education and Skills Context
       •   The North East has fewer people with high skill levels compared 
           to the national average.
       •   More than a fifth of adults in the region have no qualifications at 
           all, double the national figure.
       •   The region has an ageing skilled workforce in some key areas of 
           economic activity including advanced manufacturing. 
       •   Stark gender imbalances exist within some sectors, such as 
           engineering and digital. 
       •   The region has the highest rate of youth unemployment and the 
           highest proportion of young people recorded as NEET 
           nationally. 
       North East – Education and Skills Context
       •   The region has a higher proportion of young people entering 
           apprenticeships than the national average.
       •   Over last 10 years, secondary school performance in the NE 
           LEP area has improved at a faster rate than other regions 
           outside of London.
       •   In 2012, Lord Adonis was commissioned by the North East LEP to 
           conduct a review of the NE economy. The report highlighted a lack 
           of cohesion, consistency or coordination for careers education 
           and information, advice and guidance (IAG) on career options 
           as a barrier to the region’s economic success... But it did 
           recognise examples of outstanding practice. 
   Participating School’s and College’s
               Berwick Academy
         Northumberland Church of England Academy
            King Edward VI School, Morpeth
            St Joseph’s Catholic Academy
             Harton Technology College
                Kenton School
               Excelsior Academy
             Churchill Community College
              Shotton Hall Academy
               Greenfield School
              Park View Academy
            Castle View Enterprise Academy
             The Link School, Sunderland
             Bishop Auckland College
              Sunderland College
              East Durham College