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How to meet the statutory careers requirements (secondary)

Check you are meeting your requirements for careers guidance, including how to achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks in full.

Last reviewed on 20 March 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: Secondary, 16 Plus•Ref: 12179
Contents
  1. Who this applies to
  2. Changes to statutory careers requirements
  3. What you need to do
  4. How to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks

Who this applies to

The 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 do not apply to non-maintained special schools and independent schools.

Changes from 1 January 2023 You must provide a minimum of 6 encounters with technical education or training providers to all pupils in years 8 to 13. This was introduced by the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 on 1 January 2023. You must offer: 2 encounters for pupils during the 'first key phase' (year 8 or 9) All pupils must attend Encounters can take place any time during year 8, or between 1 September and 28 February during year 9 2 encounters for pupils during the 'second key phase' (year 10 or 11) All pupils must attend Encounters can take place any time during year 10, or between 1 September and 28 February during year