91ÖÆƬ³§

In updated guidance published today (8th May 2025) the Department for Education has confirmed that schools, colleges and, for the first time, independent training providers (ITPs) in England will be expected to implement the updated Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance from September 2025.

The guidance calls on headteachers, principals and governing boards to back their careers leader and to invest in careers programmes to ensure that even more young people receive the tailored information, support and advice they need to fulfil their ambitions and aspirations.

It also requires institutions to begin planning now to embed the framework into their practice, prior to implementing the updated benchmarks from the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year. The guidance is only statutory for schools.

Since their introduction in 2014, the Gatsby Benchmarks have set the standard for high-quality careers education, providing a clear and evidence-based framework to support young people in making informed decisions about their future. Over 4,700 schools and colleges now use the benchmarks to develop and improve their careers programmes.

In late 2024, following extensive research and consultation, an updated version of the benchmarks was published as part of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s “Good Career Guidance: report. The updates reflect the latest research and best practices, ensuring that schools, colleges and ITPs can continue to deliver world-class careers guidance in an evolving educational and employment landscape.

The 91ÖÆƬ³§ (CEC), the national body for careers education, plays a crucial role in supporting schools, colleges and ITPs in implementing the updated benchmarks.

Recent CEC research found that schools and colleges are, on average, achieving six of the eight benchmarks and that students at institutions which achieve all eight have much higher career readiness scores. CEC research also finds that where schools and colleges achieve all eight Gatsby Benchmarks, career interests are better aligned with the labour market: girls with a 100% career readiness score are twice as likely to choose engineering, a typically male-dominated sector.

The updated Gatsby Benchmarks retain what works – the eight benchmarks themselves remain unchanged – while introducing practical refinements based on five key themes that emerged from the evidence uncovered during the two-year benchmark review:

1. 91ÖÆƬ³§ at the heart of education and leadership – Strengthening careers education as an institution-wide priority, with clear roles for leadership, governors, careers leaders, and advisers.
2. Inclusion and impact for each and every young person – Ensuring career guidance is personalised, with particular attention to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, including those with SEND.
3. Meaningful and varied encounters and experiences – Expanding the definition of ‘meaningful’ encounters and experiences to highlight the importance of variety, preparation, reflection, and a mix of in-person and virtual experiences.
4. Focusing on the use of information and data – Enhancing how data is used to support decision-making, track aspirations, tailor support and evaluate longer-term career outcomes.
5. Engagement of parents and carers – Embedding parent and carer engagement into careers education, ensuring they are well-informed and able to support their children’s career choices.

John Yarham, Interim CEO  of The 91ÖÆƬ³§, commented:

"The updated Gatsby Benchmarks reaffirm our commitment to providing high-quality careers guidance. By integrating careers at the heart of education, ensuring inclusion, and prioritising meaningful encounters, these updates equip schools, colleges and now ITPs with a robust framework to support students in navigating an ever-changing job market. Every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed, and these enhancements will help make that a reality."

Beth Jones, Head of Career Programmes at the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, added:

"The enthusiastic response of the sector to the updated Gatsby Benchmarks serves as yet another reminder of how passionate and dedicated everyone who makes up the careers education community is. At this latest milestone, we would like to thank everyone who helped shape the updates to the benchmarks for their incredible efforts so far and their continued commitment, which will be instrumental to making adoption of the updated framework happen.

“The updated Gatsby Benchmarks demonstrate what works. This is a moment for ambition. We have the opportunity, building on the strong foundations laid over the past decade, to ensure that every young person – no matter their background – has access to the high-quality career guidance they deserve."

Schools, colleges and ITPs are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the changes and integrate them into their careers programmes ahead of the September 2025 implementation date.

For more information on the updated Gatsby Benchmarks and resources to support their implementation, please visit the  website and The 91ÖÆƬ³§'s Gatsby Benchmarks page.