Gatsby Benchmark 2

What good looks like

Every student and their parents should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information.

 

  • By the age of 14, all pupils should have accessed and used information about all career paths and the labour market to inform their own decisions on study options.
  • During their study programme all students should access and use information about all career paths and the labour market to inform their own decisions about study options.
  • Parents should be encouraged to access and use information about labour markets and future study options to inform their support to their children.

 

 

Why this matters

 

Access to up-to-date career and labour market information is important for social mobility. Information about pathways, opportunities, growth areas and alumni’s successful transitions helps to connect students to a positive future.

Providing detailed information about all pathways, relevant courses, opportunities, labour market understanding and supporting students to make useful networks strengthens students’ capacity to make informed decision and positive transitions.

 

 

 

Careers Leaders: Getting started with BM2

 

Ensure all stakeholders understand key LMI and progression pathways nationally and locally so that they are confident with signposting and talking to students & parents/carers about career and labour market information.

 

Make sure you are compliant with statutory guidance and review your website and resources to ensure you cover all pathways and engage the interests and meet the needs of all students.

 

 

 

Training: All Careers Leaders require Outstanding training

 

For further support with Benchmark 1 register for our fully funded Careers Leader training 

 

Download our Training Catalogue which includes all the information you need and a helpful comparison guide on the 11 high-quality Training Providers we work with. Here you will be able to choose the right course to suit you and your development, so that you can embed a successful careers programme in your school/college. 

 

Once you have chosen the right course and Training Provider for you, you are all set to register!

 

 

 

Careers in Context: Can Do approaches

 

It is critical that students are supported, particularly in key transition moments, to understand opportunities and the changing labour market and how this could impact the shape of their current plans. Students and parents/carers should feel confident that they are equipped with the information needed to make informed and positive choices at key transition points.

 

Opportunity:

  • Ensure students, staff, parents/carers are aware of the new opportunities and challenges of the changing labour market and address assumptions and misconceptions.

 

How:

  • Prioritise working with your LEP through your Enterprise Adviser and/or Enterprise. Coordinator to review how and when accurate LMI is shared. You may need to do this more frequently to account for the fast-changing landscape.
  • Consider also working with your Careers Adviser to ensure LMI is up to date and is matched to student needs.

 

Register today

Education Leaders and Governors:

Education Leaders and Governors: For further information on each Benchmark, to support you in your role, please see the Education Leader, Secondary and College Governor Guides

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Gatsby BM1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Guidance for Middle Schools

Interpreting the Gatsby Benchmarks and Compass Completion Guidance (Updated 2021)

The guidance takes Middle School Careers Leaders through how to respond to the sub benchmark questions when completing your self-evaluation on Compass or Compass+.

 

This will be revised in accordance with updated Statutory Guidance and Gatsby Benchmarks (Summer 2025).

Gatsby BM1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
SEND
Key stages

Compass+

Compass+ is a free digital product from The Careers and Enterprise Company, funded and recommended by the Department for Education. ​​Compass+ enables you to benchmark, track and report on your whole careers provision, right down to individual learner level. 

Gatsby BM1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
SEND
Key stages

Compass

Compass is a free digital product that helps institutions quickly and easily evaluate their careers activity against the eight Gatsby Benchmarks and supports monitoring performance against the Careers Impact System Maturity Model by effectively recording Internal leadership review responses.

Compass is available to most secondary schools, special schools, sixth forms, colleges, APs, PRUs and ITPs in England.

Gatsby BM2, 3, 7
Key stages
NEW

HTQ Resource Hub

The Department for Education (DfE), in collaboration with The Gatsby Foundation, have produced this resource to support education professionals explain Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) as an exciting post-18 option to learners, parents and employers.

 

Gatsby BM2, 5, 7
Key stages

The National School & College Leaver Festival

Get ready for amazing experiences at these careers festivals in both London and Birmingham! 

We’re bringing you and your students all the exciting opportunities out there—think Apprenticeships, Further & Higher Education, entry-level jobs, and so much more. This is your chance to connect face-to-face with the coolest employers, colleges, universities, and training providers in England! Dive into an interactive atmosphere where your students future possibilities are just waiting to be discovered. 


 

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