Kickstart Your Gatsby Curriculum Audit
Practical INSET + 12 Months Gatsby Grid Access
Empower your Subject Leaders to effectively map, analyse, and evidence Gatsby Benchmark contributions with our hands-on INSET session, supported by 12 months' access to the intuitive Gatsby Grid online tool.
Stop struggling with spreadsheets and inconsistent evidence. Start building a clear, collaborative picture of your careers provision.
A complete solution to embed, evidence, and enhance Gatsby Benchmark 4 across your school.
The Challenge: Turning Gatsby Ambition into Curriculum Reality
Meeting Gatsby Benchmark 4 – linking curriculum learning to careers – is crucial, but making it happen consistently across all subjects presents real hurdles for Careers Leaders:
- Engaging Subject Leaders: Getting buy-in and consistent, quality input from busy Heads of Department can be difficult. Confidence and time are often barriers.
- Collating Evidence: Gathering meaningful proof of curriculum links from diverse sources is time-consuming and often results in an incomplete picture.
- Demonstrating Impact: Moving beyond just listing activities to showing genuine embedding and impact for Ofsted requires a structured approach.
- Lack of Simple Tools: Spreadsheets or generic systems aren't designed for this specific task, making auditing and analysis inefficient.
You need more than just a tool – you need a practical way to get everyone involved and make tracking sustainable.
Our Solution: A Blended Approach for Sustainable Success
We've combined a targeted professional development session with powerful, easy-to-use technology to provide a complete solution:
- The Kickstart INSET: A practical, live online session designed specifically for your Subject Leaders/Heads of Department to build understanding, confidence, and collaboratively begin mapping their contributions.
- The Gatsby Grid Tool: 12 months' access to our intuitive online platform (powered by GridMaker) where staff can continue logging evidence (<60 seconds per entry!), allowing you to visualise progress, analyse coverage, and generate reports effortlessly.
This blended approach ensures immediate momentum from the INSET and provides the structure and technology needed for ongoing success throughout the year.
The Gatsby Grid INSET Package: What's Included?
Our comprehensive package provides everything you need to effectively audit and manage your Gatsby curriculum contributions:
Part 1: The Live Online INSET Session
A highly practical session delivered by our experts, designed for your Subject Leaders/Heads of Department:
- Understanding the 'Why': Contextualising Gatsby Benchmark 4 and the importance of their role.
- Introducing Gatsby Grid: A clear walkthrough of the simple online tool.
- Collaborative Mapping: Guided, hands-on time during the session for leaders to actually start logging examples from their subjects onto your school's Gatsby Grid.
- Building Confidence & Momentum: Equipping leaders with the skills and motivation to continue contributing.
Outcome: Your audit is kickstarted, initial data is captured, and staff are trained and ready to go – all in one efficient session!
Part 2: 12 Months Gatsby Grid Tool Access
Full access to the dedicated Gatsby Grid online platform, featuring:
- Laser-Focused Gatsby Criteria: Pre-loaded, research-backed criteria for tracking subject links.
- Effortless Evidence Logging: The famous <60-second entry form for all staff.
- Instant Visual Grid: See coverage, gaps, and strengths across subjects in real-time.
- One-Click Analysis & Reporting: Generate charts and Ofsted-ready PDF reports instantly.
- Unlimited Users & Storage: Within your school.
Outcome: A sustainable system for ongoing evidence collection, analysis, and reporting throughout the year.
Plus, Our Standard High-Level Support:
- Full Onboarding & Setup: We configure your Gatsby Grid with your school logo and subject list before the INSET.
- Unlimited Training Resources: Access guides, videos, and tips.
- Unlimited Ongoing Support: Phone, email, or live chat support for all staff members for the full 12 months.
Benefits of the Gatsby Grid INSET Package
- Jumpstart Your Audit: Get real data mapped collaboratively during the INSET, overcoming initial inertia.
- Boost Staff Confidence & Buy-in: Dedicated training empowers Subject Leaders to contribute effectively.
- Save Valuable Time: Streamlines evidence collection for Careers Leaders and teachers (<60s logging via the tool).
- Gain Instant Clarity: The visual grid provides immediate insight into curriculum coverage and gaps.
- Generate Ofsted-Ready Evidence: Easily produce reports demonstrating embedded careers provision.
- Inform Strategic Planning: Use data to target support, share good practice, and improve your careers programme.
- Sustainable Solution: Combines initial impact (INSET) with long-term tracking capability (the tool).
Your Investment: A Complete Package
Gatsby Grid INSET Package
£295
+ VAT per year
Includes:
- Live Online INSET Session for Subject Leaders
- 12 Months Access to Gatsby Grid Online Tool
- Unlimited School Users
- Unlimited Evidence Storage
- Full Onboarding & Setup
- Unlimited Training Resources
- Unlimited Ongoing Support for All Staff
Try Gatsby Grid FREE for 30 Days
Want to see how easy it is before committing to the INSET package? Sign up for a no-obligation, 30-day free trial of the Gatsby Grid tool.
We'll set up a fully functioning trial account specifically for your school so you can explore the features and start mapping evidence right away.
No credit card required. No obligation to purchase.
What Schools Say About Our Approach
"Quick and easy to use... the whole staff were able to access and complete it within minutes of being shown how to do it."
"Quick and easy way to track... helped us see at a glance where there may be gaps in provision."
"The inspector was very impressed by the clarity of our evidence... [it] is now cited as a strength of the college."
"As SLT we can see at a glance where the strengths and gaps are... effective in creating a gap analysis."
"...a useful tool in planning our teaching and learning.”
"...allowed all staff and governors to see what we are doing and where we can develop further."
Join hundreds of schools improving their careers provision evidence with GridMaker technology and support.
How the Gatsby Grid Package Works
1. The Kickstart INSET Session
We start with a practical, live online session (typically 60-90 minutes) designed for your Subject Leaders/Heads of Department, facilitated by our experienced team.
During the session, we:
- Explain the 'why' behind Gatsby Benchmark 4 and its importance.
- Provide a clear demonstration of the easy-to-use Gatsby Grid tool.
- Guide leaders through logging their first examples directly onto YOUR school's grid.
- Answer questions and build confidence for ongoing use.
This collaborative start ensures immediate buy-in and populates your grid with initial data.
2. Ongoing Tracking with the Tool
Following the INSET, your school has 12 months' access to the Gatsby Grid online tool.
This allows:
- All staff to easily log relevant activities anytime (<60 seconds).
- You (as Careers Leader/SLT) to instantly visualise coverage across subjects.
- Identification of strengths and gaps using the interactive grid.
- Generation of one-click charts and PDF reports for analysis and sharing.
- A sustainable system for continuous evidence collection.
The tool provides the structure to maintain momentum and build a comprehensive evidence base over the year.
Our Research-Backed Criteria
The Gatsby Grid uses 10 clear, actionable criteria developed through extensive research into the Gatsby Benchmarks, DfE guidance, Ofsted expectations, and educational best practice. This ensures you are tracking meaningful contributions across subjects.
| Criterion Title | Description | Rationale & Gatsby Link |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Maps Career Links | Evidence that the subject's scheme of work/curriculum map explicitly identifies links between topics/skills and relevant career pathways/sectors/roles. (Log refers to planning docs). | Assesses Intent for systematic integration. Supports GB4 (planned curriculum links) & GB1 (stable programme). |
| Uses Subject-Relevant LMI | Evidence of using current Labour Market Information (LMI) related to the subject in teaching/guidance (e.g., lesson resources, data discussion, research tasks). | Addresses GB2 (using LMI). Empowers teachers for more authentic GB4 links. Informs student choices. |
| Highlights Diverse Post-School Pathways | Evidence that activities/resources explicitly cover the full range of relevant post-16/18 routes (FE, HE, Apprenticeships, Technical Ed) linked to the subject. | Supports GB7 (encounters with FE/HE/Providers). Aligns with DfE statutory guidance & PAL (impartiality, all routes). |
| Develops Transferable Workplace Skills | Evidence of lessons/activities intentionally teaching/developing/assessing transferable skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving) valued in the workplace. | Prepares students with essential skills (Ofsted Impact). Supports GB5 (skills valued) & GB6 (workplace readiness). Key part of GB4. |
| Uses Real-World Work Contexts | Evidence of using authentic examples, case studies, problems, or data from relevant workplaces/industries to contextualise subject learning. | Directly addresses GB4 (relevance). Enhances engagement & understanding (Ofsted Implementation/Impact). Reflects best practice. |
| Hosts Subject-Relevant Employer Encounters | Evidence of department organising/hosting/facilitating meaningful encounters (in-person/virtual) with employers/employees related to the subject. | Contributes to GB5 (employer encounters). Ensures relevance and enhances 'meaningfulness' by linking to curriculum (GB4). |
| Hosts Subject-Relevant Provider Encounters | Evidence of department organising/hosting/facilitating meaningful encounters with FE/HE/Apprenticeship/Training providers focused on subject-specific progression. | Contributes to GB7 (FE/HE encounters). Provides targeted pathway information linked to current studies (GB4). |
| Links Subject to Workplace Experiences | Evidence of department preparing students for, or helping them reflect on, workplace experiences (visits, placements) through a subject lens. | Supports GB6 (workplace experiences) by enhancing 'meaningfulness' and linking back to curriculum learning (GB4). |
| Assesses Careers-Related Learning | Evidence of assessing students' careers-related understanding/awareness gained via subject activities (e.g., quiz, research task, presentation, reflection). | Addresses Ofsted focus on Impact. Evaluates effectiveness of GB4 activities. Informs GB3 (needs) & GB1 (evaluation). |
| Challenges Career Stereotypes | Evidence of activities/resources/discussions within the subject that actively challenge career stereotypes (gender, ethnicity etc.) or showcase diverse role models. | Directly addresses GB3 (challenging stereotypes, raising aspirations). Promotes equity & aligns with DfE guidance. Enhances GB4/GB5 relevance. |
These criteria help ensure your audit captures evidence aligned with national standards and Ofsted's focus on Intent, Implementation, and Impact.
Need to Track More Than Just Gatsby?
While the Gatsby Grid package focuses specifically on careers education links within subjects, many schools need to track and evidence the full spectrum of Personal Development.
The full GridMaker platform provides a comprehensive solution, allowing you to:
- Map activities against SMSC, British Values, RSE, Wellbeing, and PSHE frameworks.
- Incorporate your own custom School or Trust Values into the grid.
- Create multiple grids for different aspects of your provision (e.g., separate grids for SMSC, Character Ed, Enrichment).
- Utilise all the powerful filtering, analysis, and reporting features across all your tracked criteria.
If you require a whole-school solution for evidencing Personal Development beyond careers, upgrading to the full GridMaker platform is easy.
Contact us to discuss upgrading your Gatsby Grid package:
Email: info@gridmaker.co.uk
Phone: 0115 929 3419
Ready to Transform Your Gatsby Tracking?
Invest in a practical solution that engages staff, simplifies evidence, and provides lasting impact. Book your Gatsby Grid INSET Package or request more information below.
Questions? Call us on 0115 929 3419 or email info@gridmaker.co.uk.