The Gatsby Benchmarks

Gatsby Benchmark 7: Encounters with Further and Higher Education

All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace

Provider Access Legislation

The updated provider access legislation (PAL) has now been enacted. It specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all their students:

  • Two encounters for pupils during the 'first key phase' (Year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
  • Two encounters for pupils during the 'second key phase' (Year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
  • Two encounters for pupils during the 'third key phase' (Year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend

This new legislation will become a key mechanism to further help learners understand and take-up, not just apprenticeships, but wider technical education options such as T Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.

Here you will find resources to support schools to meet 100% in Gatsby Benchmark 7.

Post-16 options and further education

Careers East Sussex provides information about further education providers in East Sussex including sixth forms, colleges and training providers. 

Apprenticeships

All East Sussex schools and colleges with students in Years 10-13 can access apprenticeship support from ASK (Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge). ASK has resources and activities for students, parents, teachers and governors, mapped against the Gatsby Benchmarks. You can book support for your school here.

Rate My Apprenticeship provides a student-friendly, focused resources for young people seeking apprenticeships.

A Levels

Academic qualifications available at school-based sixth forms, sixth form colleges and further education colleges. Advice about choosing A Levels can be found here.

T Levels

Introduce students to T Levels with this video from the Department for Education (DfE). You can access more T Level videos by subject here. Government resources to help teachers to engage pupils and parents with T Levels are available here.


Post-18 options

Aspire provides free resources that enable Year 12 and 13 teachers to deliver an effective and engaging assembly or lesson about post-18 options, including university, school leaver programmes and apprenticeships.

Universities

  • UCAS is a comprehensive guide to university and degree apprenticeships. Students use the portal to apply for higher education. Students can watch virtual tours of universities around the UK here. Remind Year 8-9 students picking their GCSE options to look at university entry requirements to inform their GCSE and A Level choices.
  • The Office for Students provides guidance for students on what they can expect from a university education.
  • The Sutton Trust runs Summer schools and courses for very able students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Informed Choices provides information to help students understand which subjects open up different degrees, particularly at Russell Group universities.
  • The UniGuide provides guidance for students about what subjects they can study at university, where and how to get there.

Help with Gatsby Benchmark 7

Ask your Careers Hub Coordinator and Enterprise Adviser for further advice and consult the Careers and Enterprise Company's resource directory.