Gatsby Benchmark guides
The eight Gatsby Benchmarks, one at a time
What each benchmark asks for, how to evidence it, and an honest note on what Shine records and what stays with your team. Uses the updated wording Gatsby published in November 2024.
Last reviewed 2026-09-30
Choose a benchmark
- Benchmark 1: A stable careers programme
A planned, published careers programme, led by a named Careers Leader, backed by governors and reviewed with feedback from learners, parents, teachers and employers.
- Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information
Every learner, and their parents or carers, should get good-quality information about future study options and the labour market, with support from an informed adviser to use it.
- Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each young person
Tailored support for each learner, including SEND, disadvantaged and absent learners; systematic records of participation and advice; and use of destination data, including sustained destinations.
- Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers
All teachers link their subject to careers, and every learner has the chance to learn how different subjects help across a wide range of futures.
- Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees
Multiple meaningful encounters with employers every year, including talks, mentoring, enterprise and careers fairs.
- Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces
First-hand experience of workplaces through visits, shadowing or work experience, to help learners explore careers and widen their networks.
- Benchmark 7: Encounters with further and higher education
Every learner understands the full range of learning options, including academic and technical routes, universities, colleges and apprenticeship and training providers.
- Benchmark 8: Personal guidance
Every learner has guidance interviews with a qualified careers adviser (Level 6 or above) at key points.
Common questions
What are the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks?
1. A stable careers programme; 2. Learning from career and labour market information; 3. Addressing the needs of each young person; 4. Linking curriculum learning to careers; 5. Encounters with employers and employees; 6. Experiences of workplaces; 7. Encounters with further and higher education; 8. Personal guidance.
Were the Gatsby Benchmarks updated?
Yes. Gatsby published updated benchmarks in November 2024 in 'Good Career Guidance: The Next 10 Years', including a renamed Benchmark 3, 'Addressing the needs of each young person'.
Are the Gatsby Benchmarks statutory?
Statutory careers guidance for schools and colleges in England expects them to use the Gatsby Benchmarks to develop and improve their careers provision.
Source: Gatsby Benchmarks official site.
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