Statutory guidance for careers education published in January 2018 introduced the Gatsby Benchmark.  It is expected that schools will use the benchmarks as an audit tool and it is an expectation that schools will meet them to better improve the aspirations of students. 

Provider Access Legislation

The updated provider access legislation (PAL) was enacted in January 2023. It specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all their students: 

• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
• Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
• 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

More information on Provider Access Legislation can be found here:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools

As a school, we fulfil this by working in collaboration with Alumni and local apprenticeship providers to speak to students at each Key Stage.  We go further by organising ‘in house’ career events in year 9 and year 12.  In year 12, we take students to the UCAS Discovery Exhibition to ensure that students have access to the greatest range of opportunities.