Gatsby Benchmarks

A world-class careers system

What are the Gatsby Benchmarks?

The eight benchmarks define world-class careers guidance for young people in England, based on international evidence. They are now used in over 4,700 secondary schools, colleges and independent training providers.

The Gatsby Benchmarks have been central to government statutory guidance for secondary schools and guidance for colleges since 2018. Since then, national performance against the eight benchmarks has more than tripled.

In 2024, following two years of extensive research and consultation, the Gatsby Benchmarks were updated to ensure they continue to define world-class career guidance for young people.

          1: A stable careers programme

As a school we have to have a  careers programme in place for all year groups. Teachers, pupils, parents, governors and employers must have have access to our basic programme. Our programme can be found on the school website. Our programme involves careers lessons, form time activities, visits and workshops.

Our role is to equip students with the skills and knowledge that they need to make informed decisions at key points in their school lives and ultimately to prepare them for the world of work. Our aim is to enable all students to achieve their full potential.

We are keen for our students to explore all the options available and to realise what potential pathways are open to them. There is an extensive programme of events and lessons that are available to students from Year 7 to Year 11.

2:  Learning from careers and labour market information (LMI)

This benchmark allows students and parents to have access to good information about what jobs are available in their local area, what business are situated near them, what areas need more employees and which jobs might not exist in the future.  Our students have access to up to date labour market information.

Subject leaders can help students by talking about local businesses and new job roles that link to their subject.

3:  Addressing the needs of each pupil

All of our students have different career aspirations and will need different guidance at different points in their education. The careers guidance and education needs to be tailored to each student. During their time at school our students will have individual interviews to discuss their next stage, opportunities to visit businesses and further education and additional support if they require it.

4:  Linking curriculum learning  to the careers

All teachers at The Stanway School  link careers to their subject area. Students can't choose the best career path for themselves if they don't know what jobs are out there. By adding in careers information into lessons students can understand the variety of jobs on offer. Students can often say what subjects they enjoy but can't often say what jobs they could go into with a love for that subject. Lessons can also include employability skills such as presentation, team work and leadership.

5:  Encounters with employers and employees

Students need to have multiple encounters with employers so they can learn what the world of work is like. We work with lots of different business during PSHE enrichment days, but subject staff also bring in employers as well - this could be to do a talk, run workshops or a virtual talk.

6:  Experience of the workplace

Every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks. 

7:  Encounters with further and higher education

All students must have encounters with colleges, 6th forms, learning providers, universities and work based learning. As a school we run a careers convention each year with a variety of learning providers and colleges.

By the time students leave us in year 11, we aim that they would have been on at least one university encounter.

8:  Personal guidance

All students must have access to impartial advice about their career choices. We employ a level 6 careers advisor to deliver this guidance, and are very lucky to have Tracy Laney who works with our students. She works with year 11 students to make sure they are making the right decision for post 16 education.