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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Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) information for Careers Leaders
The DFE, in collaboration with research partners Verian, have created a set of information and guidance materials to help careers leaders and teachers support KS5 students in making informed post 18 progression choices. The materials raise awareness of Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) as a high-quality, career focused alternative to degrees or apprenticeships.
Technical Education Pathways Resource
These resources will support you in promoting the wide range of technical education pathways which are available for young people.
Created in partnership with the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), these resources are designed to explain the pathways available to young people as well as promoting the wider work of the Training Provider (ITP) sector.
The Provider Access Legislation (PAL) in SEND Settings
All pupils should have the same opportunities for meaningful provider encounters and the overwhelming majority of pupils with SEND, including those with high levels of needs, can access fulfilling jobs and careers with the right preparation and support.
However, where learners future pathways are limited due to the nature of their specific learning needs and/or physical ability - for example where they are highly likely to proceed into adult social care - it is recognised that it may be necessary for additional flexibility in how these encounters are delivered.
Support for students on Results Days
We have collated key advice, resource and support to help you to prepare, deliver and reflect on Results Days.
Support students at risk of NEET
We have collated key resource and support for you to ensure that you can effectively support students who are most at risk of not having a destination this summer.
Support students to make a successful transition
We have collated key resource and support for you to ensure that you can effectively support students to navigate application and recruitment processes and make effective transitions to their best next steps.
Support students to pursue the BEST next step for them
We have collated key resource and support for you to ensure that you support students to identify the best next step for them.
Inspiring Worcestershire SEND resources
Inspiring Worcestershire Careers Hub have developed a number of resources for SEND as part of the work in the SEND Community of Practice.
SEND Careers Health Checklist
This interactive checklist will support you to think about the Careers provision you have within your SEND setting.
Soham Village College careers website
Looking for valuable careers information that’s targeted at students, parents, staff and employers too? This handy website will help.
Skills Builder Partnership Impact Directory
The Skills Builder Partnership brings together educators, employers and organisations around a common approach and mission: to support everyone to build the essential skills to succeed. The Impact Directory celebrates and shares the fantastic work of Skills Builder’s partners.
Unifish Website
Unifish is your guide to higher education in London when you need a little more support, brought to you by Aimhigher London. It is a fully searchable and filterable website in multiple ways including by type of support and location.