The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for careers guidance in schools. The Department for Education has included the Gatsby benchmarks in their statutory guidance for schools and colleges on providing careers guidance. The benchmarks
The benchmarks are as follows:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces*
- Encounters with Further and Higher Education*
- Personal guidance
*Royal Holloways Schools Team can help your school meet this benchmark. More details can be found below.
6. Experiences of workplaces
The benchmark
Every student should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.
- By the age of 16, every pupil should have had at least one experience of a workplace, additional to any part-time jobs they may have.
- By the age of 18, or before the end of their study programme, every student should have had at least one further experience of a workplace, additional to any part-time jobs they may have.
How Royal Holloway can help
We can offer visits to Royal Holloway as a workplace. During these visits, students can expect to meet a variety of people who work as staff members at Royal Holloway, and will even get a chance to have a go themselves, building skills for CVs and for life.
For more information, email schools@rhul.ac.uk.
7. Encounters with Further and Higher Education
The benchmark
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 encounter2 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.
How Royal Holloway can help
We welcome schools onto our campus for visits, and regularly visit schools to talk to students about university life.
For more information, visit the pages linked above or email schools@rhul.ac.uk.
