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Education

Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks are an evidence-based framework that defines world-class careers guidance for young people. Used by over 4,700 schools, colleges and independent training providers to shape their careers programmes, the benchmarks are central to our long-term commitment to improving careers guidance in England.

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Why good careers guidance matters

As part of their journey through education, we believe all young people should have equity of information, opportunity and experiences to help them make ambitious and fulfilling choices for their futures.

All young people, whatever their background, deserve good careers guidance. It enables them to maximise their talents, realise their ambitions and, ultimately, secure a rewarding career. Young people without strong social or family links to different careers benefit most; good careers guidance drives social mobility and contributes to social justice.

Preparing young people for the labour market helps employers and governments address skills gaps and improve productivity.

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About The Gatsby Benchmarks

First published in 2014, the eight Gatsby Benchmarks provide a clear and robust framework which more than 90% of schools and colleges now use to structure their careers programmes. The average number of benchmarks achieved by these institutions has risen from 1.8 out of eight in 2017 to 5.8 out of eight in 2024.

The benchmarks form the bedrock of the government’s strategy to provide high-quality careers guidance to all young people. All schools, colleges and – as of September 2025 – independent training providers (ITPs) in England are expected to use the framework to plan their careers provision for young people.

Our dedicated Gatsby Benchmarks website explores each benchmark in detail and houses information and inspiration on implementation for leaders and practitioners.

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Impact of the framework on careers education

Thanks to the hard work, dedication and collaboration of schools, colleges, ITPs and the wider careers guidance community, careers education has been revolutionised since the launch of the benchmarks, improving the life chances of millions of young people.

Evidence strongly shows that embedding good career guidance, underpinned by the benchmarks, into the heart of school, college and ITP strategies improves young people’s life chances and contributes to whole-institution improvement. In institutions with more benchmark activity, students have increased career readiness, higher aspirations and are less likely to be NEET (not in education, employment or training) at age 16 and 18.

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Ensuring lasting change

Schools, colleges and ITPs are making good career guidance happen, but they cannot do it alone. We work closely with the Careers & Enterprise Company, Department for Education and other national stakeholders – as well as educators in the classroom and in leadership – to ensure that the right support and systems are in place for every institution to sustainably achieve the benchmarks for their young people.

To stay informed about our work email careerguidance@gatsby.org.uk to be added to our stakeholder communications list.

The Gatsby Benchmarks have transformed how we view careers and how we provide careers guidance for our young people. They are a fantastically powerful tool in preventing NEET, developing multi-agency approaches with partners, and rethinking our approach to what is possible with employers and workplaces.

- Rob Gasson, CEO, Wave Multi-Academy Trust and member of NAHT SEND and AP Council

Our Gatsby Benchmarks work in action

2013

Gatsby invites Sir John Holman to research what world-class careers guidance looks like for young people, identifying practical, sustainable actions that could be taken to make career guidance better in England’s secondary schools.

2014

Good Career Guidance is published, detailing findings and recommendations from Holman’s research and a set of eight benchmarks, each describing a different dimension of good career guidance.

2015-17

The resulting Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance are successfully piloted by 16 education settings of varying types, size and Ofsted ratings in the North East of England. The pilot results in transformational changes to careers programmes and improvements in student career readiness and academic achievement.

2017-18

The benchmarks are adopted into the government’s careers strategy and become a central part of statutory guidance for schools and guidance for colleges. Following the success of the pilot in the North East and consultation with colleges across England, a version of the benchmarks specific to the needs of college students is produced.

2023-24

A decade on from their inception, Gatsby, in partnership with the International Centre for Guidance Studies at the University of Derby, conducts an extensive programme of research, consultation and stakeholder engagement to ensure the benchmarks will continue to deliver the greatest impact for young people in the decade to come, and beyond.

2024

Good Career Guidance: The Next Ten Years is published, setting out the updated Gatsby Benchmarks and the rich evidence and best practice which has informed the updates.

2025

The government reaffirms its commitment to the framework, releasing updated guidance – structured around the updated benchmarks – stating that all schools, colleges and (for the first time) ITPs should use it to shape their career programmes.

The Gatsby Benchmarks set a vital standard for careers guidance, empowering young people to explore their potential and gain the skills they need. We are committed to strengthening this foundation and breaking down the barriers to opportunity so that all young people, regardless of their background, have access to the high-quality guidance and support they need to succeed and navigate their future with confidence.

- Jacqui Smith, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation

Gatsby is a foundation set up by David Sainsbury to realise his charitable objectives.

We work across a number of other sectors across the globe.