In 2014, Lord Sainsbury’s Gatsby Charitable Foundation published a report by Professor Sir John Holman, Adviser in Education at the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, titled “Good Career Guidance.” The report identified eight benchmarks that are the core dimensions of good careers and enterprise provision in schools.
Why the Gatsby Benchmarks are important -
The Gatsby Benchmarks have a key role in:
- raising young people’s aspirations and promoting access to all career pathways.
- enabling all young people to develop the skills and outlook they need to achieve career wellbeing, including adaptability and resilience.
- underpinning the Department for Education guidance to schools on meeting their statutory responsibility for careers guidance.
Benchmark 1
A Stable Careers Programme Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by Students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.
Benchmark 2
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
Benchmark 3
Addressing the Needs of Each Student Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each Student. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.
Benchmark 4
Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of careers paths.
Benchmark 5
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. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.
Benchmark 6
Experiences of Workplaces Every Student should have first-hand experience of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing, and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.
Benchmark 7
Encounters with Further and Higher Education All Students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.
Benchmark 8
Personal Guidance Every Student should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all Students but should be timed to meet their individual needs.
