What good looks like
All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both technical and academic routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.
- By the age of 16, every student should have had a meaningful encounter* with providers of the full range of educational opportunities, including sixth forms, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers. This should include the opportunity to meet both staff and students.
- By the age of 18, all students who are considering applying for university should have had at least two visits to universities to meet staff and students.
- By the age of 18, or before the end of their programme of study, every student should have had a meaningful encounter with a range of providers of learning and training that may form the next stage of their career. This should include, as appropriate, further education colleges, higher education and apprenticeship and training providers. This should include the opportunity to meet both staff and students.
*A ‘meaningful encounter’ is one in which the student has an opportunity to explore what it is like to learn in that environment. This includes academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and the workplace.
Provider access legislation
The provider access legislation is new guidance that comes into force from January 2023, which builds on Benchmark 7 and adds new specific requirements for schools. It is a key mechanism to further help learners understand and take-up, not just apprenticeships, but wider technical education options such as T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.
The updated provider access legislation (PAL) specifies schools must provide at least six encounters for all their students:
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Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
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Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
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Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend
You will find more information on the legislation and support with promoting all pathways here.
Why this matters
- 26% of young people who received free school meals (FSM) in year 11 are not in education or employment (NEET) aged 18-24, compared to 13% of non-FSM students
- High achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to apply to higher education, attend a high-status university, or access high status professional jobs than similarly qualified peers from more affluent backgrounds
- FSM students make up only 16.7% of students in KS5 (16-18 years) academic pathways in comparison to 28% on vocational pathways Bit report
- 1,400 more students were in sustained EET during 2018/19 connected to the level of guidance provision that schools in the sample reported, compared to a scenario in which all schools had reported zero benchmark provision.
Careers Leaders:
Getting started with BM7
Refresh your knowledge and understanding of all pathways at key transition points:
Technical Education Pathways Resource (including options map and framework of qualifications A3 posters)
- Promoting All Pathways: Understanding the full range of learning opportunities at key transition points video resource.
Consider how you can share this information about pathways at key transition points with students, staff and parents/carers
- Coming soon: Staff Careers CPD Resource
- Help curriculum staff to understand pathways from their subject but sharing the My Learning, My Future Resources with curriculum colleagues
Refer to the Making it Meaningful checklist when planning any Benchmark 7 activity.
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
Encounters with further education, higher education and training providers should have planned intent, delivery and impact of activities and sit within a progressive careers programme that supports positive student outcomes.
To include an activity under Benchmark 7, it must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Learning outcomes defined, based on the age and needs of students
- The encounter involves two-way interaction between students, appropriate provider staff and young people participating in this pathway
- There is evidence that the student actively participated
- There is evidence that the student has reflected on the experience and that it has shaped their thinking about future pathways
Opportunity:
- Online encounters can offer students and parents/carers the opportunity to engage with Further Education, Higher Education and training providers that they may not have considered visiting face to face.
- Students can start to learn about all pathways available to them at key transition points through employer encounters, experience of work and careers in the curriculum from Year 7. A multi-benchmark approach to employer encounters and experiences of work help students to develop their knowledge and understanding in context.
- Refer to Encounters with further and higher education for practical ideas from schools and colleges for achieving Gatsby Benchmark 7.
“If you think from a learner’s perspective, they often don’t know the connection between what they’re studying and the employment sector. There is a big jump from doing a course and being able to turn that into a pathway to a job. So bringing employers helps make the transition feel more real and accessible.”
Careers Leader, college
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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Explore Apprenticeships – Free Online Course
Created in partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company, #ExploreApprenticeships is a free online course supporting young people wanting to learn more about apprenticeships as a career path.
Exploring University
Developed by Inspiring Worcestershire.
In this document you will be able to understand which are the leading universities locally, the degrees which are most popular, as well as the degrees which have the highest success rates in terms of securing future employment.
The guide also provides details of the leading universities which specialise in degrees relating to certain sectors.
FES Connect Activity
‘FES Connect’ is a national community for Post 16 careers leaders and practitioners, supporting development and sharing of best practice to ensure every learner is supported to find their next best step.
An opportunity to share examples of what's working well across the country in careers education via online seminars, newsletters showcasing best practice and an FES Connect chat board.
Click here to register.
Fledglink free career app
Use this powerful app to equip students with everything they need to create their CV and start sharing it with some of the UK’s most exciting employers.
Fulfilling Futures
Developed in collaboration by Complete Careers LLP and Greenwood Academies Trust.
This resource is to help learners to prepare for the challenge ahead from education to employment in a competitive job market. This is primarily an information resource with links to activities, videos, and further reading. It has skills and activities logs, a checklist, and an action plan at the end of the resource to record progress. It is designed for independent use either in school or at home.
Futurum Careers: Online Resource and Magazine
Futurum Careers is a free online resource and magazine aimed at introducing 14-19-year-olds worldwide to the world of work in STEM (science, tech, engineering, maths, medicine) and SHAPE (social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy). We collaborate with academics all over the world and translate their research into education and careers resources that can be used in the classroom, at home and in STEM and SHAPE clubs.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – colleges
Identify what ‘good’ looks like across all eight Gatsby Benchmarks, see useful case studies, and follow practical suggestions for putting the benchmarks into practice.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – schools
Access case studies of best practice in schools, as well as tips and practical suggestions for successfully implementing the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – SEND
If you are working to deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks for young people with SEND – in any setting – you will find lots of practical help in this toolkit.
globalbridge
globalbridge is a unique platform, built by teachers, that helps young people evidence their talents, experiences and aspirations whilst also helping them connect with opportunities, regardless of their background.
Green Careers Hour
Green Careers Hour – A broadcast for young people in schools and colleges
Green Jobs Webinar
This employer facing webinar was the fourth in a series of peer learning events for Cornerstone Employers, Enterprise Advisers, and other interested employers. Green Jobs are key to post-pandemic economic recovery and achieving net zero targets.