For schools
The Gatsby benchmarks, mapped honestly.
What the onDesk schools licence supports, partially supports, and plainly does not.
The eight benchmarks
Benchmark 1 - A stable careers programme
The careers year plan gives you a term by term structure mapped to the benchmarks and the CDI framework, which you can lift into your own provision plan. The programme remains yours; onDesk is one component of it.
Benchmark 2 - Learning from career and labour market information
Students use route comparisons, role content and a live application timeline covering spring weeks, internships, degree apprenticeships and school leaver programmes. Each view is recorded against the student, so the engagement is evidenced rather than assumed.
Benchmark 3 - Addressing the needs of each pupil
This is the benchmark most careers leads find hardest to evidence. onDesk holds a record for every student of which of the nine preparation areas they have completed, when, and what they submitted. Exportable per student or per cohort.
Benchmark 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers
Content draws directly on quantitative reasoning, commercial analysis and written communication, and can be referenced against Maths, Economics and Business teaching. The curriculum link itself is made by your school.
Benchmark 5 - Encounters with employers and employees
A session delivered by our founder, an LSE graduate, who worked in Global Markets at Bank of America across London and Dubai, is a meaningful encounter with an employer. An evidence pack is generated after every session carrying your school's name and logo: date, year groups, number of students, content summary, feedback score and who delivered it.
Benchmark 6 - Experiences of workplaces
onDesk does not provide work experience placements. Stated plainly so there is no ambiguity in your reporting.
Benchmark 7 - Encounters with further and higher education
University, degree apprenticeship and school leaver routes are compared honestly, and the UCAS content covers the personal statement and course choice. This supports, rather than replaces, encounters with providers themselves.
Benchmark 8 - Personal guidance
Personal guidance from a qualified careers adviser remains your school's responsibility. Optional one-to-one coaching is available to families separately and is not a substitute for it.
See it before you decide
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