This month marks a significant moment for careers education in the UK. From September 2025, the updated Gatsby Benchmarks become part of statutory guidance for secondary schools, colleges, and independent training providers.
Having worked closely with educators, at Next Generation Travel we know how challenging it can be to deliver a careers programme that is both inspiring and meaningful.
We are aware that the Gatsby Benchmarks provide a clear, evidence-based framework for what “good” careers guidance looks like and now, with their refined focus on meaningful encounters and experiences, I’m pleased to see there’s a renewed opportunity to connect learning to the world of work.
At Next Generation Travel, we believe that educational travel whether it’s a subject focused trip to Europe or study seminar event such as Earth Summit, we can play a pivotal role in helping schools deliver all eight benchmarks.
Why the Gatsby Benchmarks matter
The Benchmarks are more than a compliance checklist. They help ensure:
It's positive to see that the updated version retains the eight core benchmarks, strengthening the emphasis on leadership, inclusivity and ensuring that any encounters with employers or employees are truly meaningful for students from the age of 11, helping them make more informed choices about their futures.
How does educational travel supports each of the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks?
Whether it is an enrichment trip to London or attendance at a study seminar in Disneyland Paris, in our view the experiences gained on School Trips can contribute to all 8 of the Gatsby Benchmarks:
1. A stable careers programme
Schools with an annual plan of trips aligned with their careers calendar, will when underpinned by learning outcomes and meaningful experiences, be something that students look forward to.
2. Learning from real life people’s careers
Taking learning outside of the classroom on educational visits, exposes students to real life encounters with people involved in a range of careers, helping them to see what is involved and make the connection of their study options with future career plans.
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
Attending a range of trips throughout secondary school, can help provide students with a variety of experiences, opening up their knowledge of the potential options for future careers which suit their own personal ambitions or capabilities.
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
With all school tours linked to the curriculum, teachers can use the experiences to create real life case studies demonstrating how the knowledge and skills developed in that subject helps people to gain entry to, and be successful within a wide range of careers.
5. Encounters with employers and employees
Attending any of our Study and Sports Experiences events will give open access for students to interact with professionals, from engineers and environmental scientists to creative marketers, giving students authentic insight into daily roles, career pathways, and industry expectations.
6. Experiences of workplaces
By creating bespoke itineraries for each group, educational tours can provide students with access to a range of workplaces, whether that’s the science labs of CERN in Geneva, a London stage whilst participating in a theatre workshop or stadium tour at Barcelona, each subject specific tour will demonstrate the potential career options available.
7. Encounters with further and higher education
Attending the Earth Summit at Keele University is a great example of how Study events can offer students a real-life experience of university, staying on campus, learning from lectures in an auditorium setting and spending the evening at the student union.
8. Personal guidance
Once back at school, a post-trip reflection session with careers advisors can turn experiences into personalised career plans and help students explore what inspires and motivates them.
Making the most of the September 2025 changes
We are confident educational travel offers schools and colleges a practical, high-impact way to meet the updated requirements, inspiring students in support of classroom learning.
Our advice to school leaders and careers coordinators:
The Gatsby Benchmarks challenge us all to raise the bar for careers guidance for the next generation and we are confident educational travel is one of the most effective, memorable, and scalable ways to do it.
