Gatsby Benchmark 7
Encounters with further and higher education: All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them, including academic, technical and vocational routes. This should incorporate learning in schools, colleges, independent training providers (ITPs), universities and in the workplace.
Schools
By the age of 16, every pupil should have had meaningful encounters with providers of the full range of learning opportunities, including sixth forms, colleges, universities and ITPs. By the age of 18, all pupils who are considering applying to higher education should have had at least two visits to higher education providers to meet staff and learners.
Colleges and ITP’s
By the end of their programme of study, every learner should have had a meaningful encounter with a range of providers of learning and training that may form the next stages of their career. This should include, as appropriate, further education colleges, universities and ITPs. This should include the opportunity to meet both staff and learners.
Full guidance can be found here: Careers guidance and access for education and training providers - GOV.UK
Meaningful checklist:
❑ have a clear purpose, shared with provider and young person
❑ underpinned by learning outcomes appropriate to the young person
❑ opportunities for two-way interactions between the young person and provider
❑ information about provider eg recruitment and selection processes, qualifications offered, and the careers they could lead to
❑ describe learning/training with provider
❑ time for the young person to reflect on insights, knowledge or skills gained.
Things to be mindful of:
• represent all pathways
• provide realistic insights
• use interactive formats
• tailor encounters to individual needs.
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Resources
Your Next Steps: Pathways to Possibilities (Ideal for KS3 and KS4)
- Introduction to Post 16 options
- Amazon with T Level student and apprentice
- North Kent College with landbased apprentice
- O’Halloran & O’Brien with technical NVQ trainee
Step into Your Future: Making Informed Decisions (Ideal for KS4 and KS5)
- Cripps with apprentice
- Pfizer with apprentice
- RDT
- Mace with apprentice
- Amazon with apprentice
- Mid Kent College with T Level student
SEND: Exploring Opportunities Together – Skills for Work and Life
Introduction to Apprenticeships from The Education People, MidKent College including Gallagher apprentice and ABM Training UK Ltd including Vosh apprentice
PAL live online (Key Stage 4 and 5)
IPS International including National Grid – Grain LNG apprentice, Canterbury College including Port of Dover T Level student, Lower Thames Crossing Including Murphys apprentice and the University of Kent.
PAL live online (All year groups)
Lower Thames Crossing Including Murphys, North Kent College including TFT Consultants, and Vistry apprentices, and IPS International including National Grid – Grain LNG apprentice
This resource provides a clear timeline for encounters to de delivered, along with criteria to comply with the legislation.
PAL - Information and template for PAL (January 2023 update)
- Use this PAL Policy template to align with the updated 2023 guidance for PAL which is required to be displayed on your school website.
- Use this tracker to easily record activities to help ensure you meet the PAL timeline.
Find out 'what good looks like' as well as links to resources and training to help you achieve Gatsby Benchmark 7.
