A strong careers programme should do more than meet Gatsby Benchmark 1, it should prepare every student for the world of work with clarity, purpose, and confidence.

What Makes a Careers Programme Effective?

An impactful careers programme equips students with the knowledge, experience, and tools they need to succeed in today’s dynamic job market. But building this kind of programme is easier said than done, especially when leadership, consistency, and evaluation are missing.

Why Do Some Schools Struggle with Career Programme Delivery?

Despite the best intentions, many schools face similar challenges when developing a careers strategy:

Fragmented Career Strategies

Without a clear framework, career guidance can become inconsistent and disconnected from the rest of the curriculum.

Lack of Leadership Buy-In

When careers education isn’t prioritised at the leadership level, it often lacks the resources and attention needed for real impact.

Difficulties Tracking Progress

Many schools struggle to measure the effectiveness of career interventions without a reliable system for tracking student outcomes.

These gaps can leave students underprepared and make it harder to meet Gatsby Benchmark 1 and Ofsted expectations.

How Can Schools Build a Bulletproof Careers Programme?

Creating a meaningful, compliant programme comes down to three strategic actions:

Create a Structured Careers Framework

Align your careers education with Gatsby Benchmark 1 by embedding it across the curriculum. Appoint a careers lead, develop a clear policy, and ensure there is a long-term plan for delivery.

Engage Senior Leadership

When SLT is involved, careers guidance becomes a school-wide priority, not just a tick-box task. This leads to stronger support, better integration, and long-term sustainability.

Track What Matters

Use feedback from students, teachers, parents, and employers to measure what’s working and what’s not. Regular evaluation helps identify gaps, celebrate wins, and shape a programme that evolves with your students’ needs.

What’s the Smartest Way to Improve Your Programme?

At The Changing Education Group, we help schools move from compliance to impact.

Our career planning tools and tailored support help you:

• Deliver a stable, structured programme aligned with Gatsby Benchmark 1
• Engage SLT with clear reporting and real-time data
• Track performance and demonstrate measurable student progress

Ready to Build a Career Programme That Works?

A structured, well-supported careers programme not only meets compliance, it transforms student futures.

Let us help you build a bulletproof strategy that delivers: 📞 01615157800
📩 workwithus@changingeducation.co.uk

FAQs

What is Gatsby Benchmark 1?
It’s the foundation for a quality careers programme. It requires schools to have a stable, structured plan for delivering career guidance.

Why is senior leadership buy-in important?
Because whole-school support ensures careers guidance is prioritised, resourced, and embedded into your strategic goals.

How can we track our careers programme performance?
Using digital platforms like CONNECT, you can collect and analyse student data, feedback, and engagement metrics.

What does a structured careers programme look like?
It includes a clear plan, roles and responsibilities, embedded lessons, and regular evaluation to ensure consistent impact.

Can The Changing Education Group help us with Ofsted preparation?
Yes, we provide tools and advice to align your programme with Gatsby Benchmarks and demonstrate clear progress.