The National Context

All secondary schools and colleges are under a duty to provide careers guidance to students from years 7 to 13, and to those aged up to 25 with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). The careers guidance should be impartial, include information on the range of education or training options, and promote the best interests of the students.

The Gatsby Benchmarks

In 2013, the Gatsby Foundation commissioned Professor Sir John to set out what good career guidance looks like in schools, resulting in the Good Career Guidance report. The eight Gatsby Benchmarks defined in the report serve as a framework for world-class careers provision and have been adopted as part of the Government's Careers Strategy.

Statutory Guidance

The Department for Education's statutory guidance for schools and colleges on providing careers guidance is set out in Careers guidance and access for education and training providers (January 2023).

The Careers and Enterprise Company

The Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) is the national body for careers education in England, supporting schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education. The CEC works with both primary and secondary schools, colleges and employers to improve careers education and secure better outcomes for young people.

Cornwall Education Learning Trust is an active member of the CEC's Trust Community of Improvement (COI). The COI is supporting the developing of a more collaborative approach to sharing experiences, resources and good practice across CELT.

At Bodmin College we encourage all our staff to access support and careers guidance resources through the CEC resource directory, which includes templates, guidance on how to maximise encounters, and examples of effective practice.