Record Compass figures for Schools and Colleges with the Quality in Careers in Careers Standard and Careers Hub membership!
In 2018, the national the Quality in Careers Standard became fully aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks as agreed with the DfE, the Gatsby Foundation and the Careers & Enterprise Company[i]. This resulted in the DfE stating the following ‘strongly recommend that all schools and colleges work towards the single national Quality in Careers Standard to support the development of their careers programme.’[ii]
There has been strong, compelling evidence on the value in the quality award system since the Sutton Trust research in 2014. This research highlights the impact for both the individual learner, and the learning organisation through better GCSE, A Level and broader education outcomes data[iii].
There was also evidence (2017) recorded in the annual analysis of Compass data from the Careers and Enterprise Company in 2017 and 2018: of the value of the Quality in Careers Standard in supporting schools and colleges to progress towards the Gatsby benchmarks:
‘The data shows that schools that hold the Quality in Careers Standard performed significantly better than schools without one achieving 67.3% of the sub-Benchmarks compared with 50.8% respectively.’ 10/10/17 State of the Nation 2017[iv]
‘The strongest correlation with a higher Overall Benchmark Score was schools and colleges that had sought and achieved a Quality in Careers Standard… This provides a strong indication that the impact of the Quality in Careers Standard is a real one and cannot be explained through chance or by any other factors.’ 14/11/18 State of the nation 2018[v]
Despite this evidence the Quality in Careers Standard has largely been omitted from ongoing research until the recent (Jan 2022) data release from the CEC[vi]. This data shows that schools and colleges with the Quality in Careers Standard meet on average 4.6 of the 8 Gatsby benchmarks compared to the national average of 4. The data also shows the highest average compass average recorded of 5.1 of the 8 benchmarks for schools and colleges with the Quality in Careers Standard who are also supported by the Careers Hub system.
It is excellent to see the clear impact of the Quality in Careers Standard reported. At Complete-Careers we have our own research of the Compass average of the schools and colleges that were assessed against the Quality in Careers Standard through our Career Mark approach. The shows that over 44 assessments in 2021 the average compass score was 5.3. This data is most pleasing.
It is important to recognise that the Quality in Careers Standard has a far greater role (Than enhancing data and statics) in supporting schools and colleges to assure the quality of their overall careers provision. Approximately a third of schools and colleges in England hold or are working towards the Quality in Careers Standard. Feedback to Complete Careers/Career Mark shows their main reasons for doing so including
- Helping to ‘pull together’ their careers provision to help them feel more organised and prepared for Ofsted
- It provides a continuous improvement approach showing a framework for good practice as well as hints, tips and resources for further development to ensure learners receive the best possible programme of career support
- It involves external assessment from experienced career professionals to help identify areas for improvement following focus group sessions with learners.
Despite these overall benefits and clear evidence of positive impact barriers remain for schools and colleges to engage with the Quality in Careers Standard. The main barriers are:
- Myth-busting – many schools and colleges hold false assumptions that they need to produce significantly more evidence than is actually required
- Time – Career leaders often lack the time to ‘pull together’ their evidence
- Cost – The Quality in Careers Standard involves a cost to schools and colleges
- Lack of awareness – the value and impact of achieving the standard is not reported widely by national career stakeholders.
The Quality in Careers Standard have been calling for a premium to schools to secure funding to enable them to achieve the Quality in Careers Standard. This is something we strongly support at Complete-Careers LLP. Schools and Colleges in England can gain the Quality in Careers Standard through the Career Mark approach for £1275 plus VAT (inclusive of registration, support, assessment, report, certification and a physical plaque). Our standard lasts for two years before revalidation. The cost for revalidation drops to £750 plus VAT. Our annual review also provides an opportunity to discuss with an external professional the progress being made towards recommendations from their previous assessment.
John Ambrose
Strategic Director
[i] Guide to the Standard, Quality in Careers Standard, October 2021 paragraph 3.5 –
[ii] Careers Guidance and Access for Education and Training Providers, DfE, July 21, page 12
[iii] Advancing Ambitions, Sutton Trust, 2014
[iv] State of the Nation, Careers and Enterprise Company, October 2017
[v] State of the Nation, Careers and Enterprise Company, November 2018
[vi] QUALITY IN CAREERS STANDARD HOLDERS AND COMPASS RESULTS – accessed 18/2/22 – https://www.qualityincareers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Quality-in-Careers-award-holders-and-Compass.-Analysis-January-2022.pdf