The benefits of Gatsby Benchmark achievement for post-16 destinations

This report presents quantitative analysis relating the level of Gatsby Benchmark achievement reported by English schools in 2017/18 to the education, employment, or training destinations sustained by their Year 11 leavers during 2018/19. 

The findings show that as careers provision in schools improves, young people are more likely to achieve sustained destinations with benefits for them personally, for employers and for the exchequer. In the most disadvantaged schools, the benefits of strong careers provision are particularly strong.

The analysis was re-run on the 2016/17 - 2018/19 cohorts and found a similar relationship. A technical note explains the methodology, findings, limitations and potential further investigations.

Building on this earlier evidence base, the latest technical note extends the analysis to estimate the fiscal value of improved careers education between 2020/21 and 2024/25. It finds that the average level of Gatsby Benchmark achievement in 2024/25 supported approximately £300m in net present value of annual fiscal savings through reduced NEET rates, with cumulative savings of £1.4bn across the last five years as careers provision has strengthened nationally. The findings reinforce the conclusion that high-quality careers provision remains a highly cost-effective method of improving learner outcomes.