Log inRegisterStart your free trial
GovernorHub Knowledge logo
  • Training
  • News briefing
  • Policy bank
GovernorHub
  • Pupils and learning
  • Curriculum & learning
  • The school curriculum

Careers guidance: statutory requirements (secondary)

Understand what you and your senior leaders need to do to provide compulsory careers guidance, while meeting Ofsted's 'personal development' requirements.

Last reviewed on 7 February 2024See updates
School types: All•School phases: Secondary, 16 Plus•Ref: 3915
Contents
  1. Who this applies to
  2. Your school's or trust's duties 
  3. Your duties as a governing board or trust board
  4. Monitor your school's or trust's careers guidance
  5. The Gatsby Benchmarks: summarised
  6. Work experience
  7. Ofsted's expectations
The KeyHomeWhy choose us?TrustsPricingStart your free trialJoin The Key
ExploreLeadersSafeguardingCPDGovernorHubKeyGPT
CompanyAboutCareersBlogThe Key Group
ContactGet in touch0800 061 4500Help centre

© The Key | Company: 08268303 | 0800 061 4500 | Terms of UsePrivacyAccessibilityCookies

Who this applies to

The Department for Education (DfE)'s statutory careers guidance applies to:

  • All maintained schools, including maintained special schools and pupil referral units (PRUs)
  • Academies and free schools (including alternative provision (AP) academies and free schools) 

The requirements don't apply to non-maintained special schools and independent schools.

If you're in a multi-academy trust, the guidance applies to each academy. Some trusts align their careers plan and education across each school. 

Your school's or trust's duties 

Your school or trust should have a strategic careers plan

This should be developed in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks (see below) and the DfE’s guidance. 

It should show how your careers programme will be:

  • Implemented
  • Measured – including how your school or trust will assess the impact on pupils

Previously this was only required for pupils in years 8 to 13, but as of 1 September 2022,

This content is only available to membersUnlock resources, guidance, training and tools for your whole school with a 14 day free trial
Start your free trial
Rate this article
This content is only available to members

Want to continue reading?

Get unlimited access to resources, guidance, training and tools for your whole school
Start your free trial of Whole School membership
No commitment, and no payment details required.