Gatsby Benchmarks: The New Reporting Mandate for UK Schools

The Changing Landscape of Career Guidance

The realm of career guidance in schools has witnessed significant shifts in recent years. With the Department for Education (DfE) introducing new strategies and the emphasis on the Gatsby Benchmarks, it’s crucial to understand these changes and their implications. Here, we delve into the recent developments and how MyFutureChoice’s range of programmes align with these advancements.

Understanding the Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a set of eight guidelines that define the best practices in career guidance for schools. Developed by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, these benchmarks aim to ensure that students receive comprehensive and quality career advice during their school years. Here’s a brief overview of the eight benchmarks:

A Stable Careers Programme

Every school should have an embedded programme that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, and employers.

Learning from Career and Labour Market Information

Students and parents should have access to good-quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities.

Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil

Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student, with extra support for those with special educational needs or disabilities.

Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers

All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers, even in subjects like maths and science.

Encounters with Employers and Employees

Every student should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment, and the skills that are valued in the workplace.

Experiences of Workplaces

Every student should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing, or work experience.

Encounters with Further and Higher Education

All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities available to them, including academic and vocational routes.

Personal Guidance

Every student should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career adviser.

College Student Working At Computer In Library Being Helped By Tutor

The Gatsby Benchmarks: Setting the Standard for Career Guidance

Annual Reporting: Schools are now anticipated to report their progress against the national careers advice benchmarks annually. This move aims to ensure consistent and high-quality career guidance across institutions.

The Role of Compass: While 90% of schools and colleges currently utilise the Compass evaluation tool, the DfE has expressed its intention to avoid making its use mandatory. However, the emphasis remains on schools and colleges to self-report their progress against the Gatsby Benchmarks annually.

DfE’s Vision: A Unified All-Age Careers System

Addressing Fragmentation: The DfE acknowledges the existing “confusing, fragmented and unclear” careers system. With multiple entities responsible for career guidance, including the Careers and Enterprise Company and the National Careers Service, the need for a more cohesive approach is evident.

Digital Front Door: Launching this autumn, this initiative will serve as a single access point for young people to find trusted career and skills information. This move aligns with MyFutureChoice’s commitment to providing accessible and comprehensive career guidance through its programmes.

Conclusion: The Future of Career Guidance and MyFutureChoice’s Role

The landscape of career guidance in schools is evolving, with the DfE’s new initiatives and the emphasis on the Gatsby Benchmarks leading the way. As schools navigate these changes, MyFutureChoice remains a trusted partner, offering a range of programmes that align with these advancements and ensure students receive top-tier career guidance.