The Gatsby Benchmarks have long been considered the gold standard in careers education, with over 90% of schools and colleges across the UK embedding them into their practice. Since their launch in 2018, schools have made huge strides—nearly tripling their progress in helping young people explore careers, build vital skills, and reach their potential.
But as the world continues to change, so too must the tools we use to prepare students for the future.
What’s Changing?
From September 2025, the Gatsby Benchmarks are being updated to reflect the evolving landscape of education, technology, and the labour market. While the core eight benchmarks and their titles remain the same, new guidance and five additional themes have been introduced to ensure they remain fit for purpose over the next decade.
The five new themes sharpen the focus on key priorities:
- Careers at the heart of education and leadership
- Inclusion and impact for each and every young person
- Meaningful and varied encounters and experiences
- Focusing on the use of information and data
- Engagement of parents and carers
At F4S, we’re here to support you through this transition—especially when it comes to Benchmark 5: Encounters with Employers and Employees.
What Does a “Meaningful” Encounter Look Like?
The updated guidance places much greater emphasis on the quality of employer encounters. It’s not just about ticking a box—it’s about giving students a real understanding of the world of work.
According to Gatsby, a meaningful encounter should:
- Have a clear purpose, shared with both the employer and the student
- Be underpinned by specific learning outcomes
- Include opportunities for two-way interaction between students and the employer
- Be followed by reflection time, helping students process what they’ve learned
How F4S Supports You to Meet These Expectations
We know how busy school and college life can be—so we’ve designed our platform to make it as easy as possible for you to deliver high-quality, impactful encounters that meet the new Benchmark 5 guidance.
Here’s how we do it:
✔️ Pre-Session Briefings
Before each session, we provide guidance to both yourself and role models to ensure everyone is aligned on the learning objectives and purpose of the session.
✔️ Storytelling with Real Impact
Our role models don’t just talk about what they do—they share personal stories about how they got there, why their work matters, and what they’ve learned along the way. This brings context and authenticity to every session.
✔️ Two-Way Interaction
Students get the chance to ask questions and engage directly with the speaker, creating a dynamic exchange that helps deepen understanding and spark curiosity.
✔️ Reflection Time
We encourage you to dedicate time after each session for students to reflect on what they’ve heard, what they’ve learned, and how it connects to their own goals and aspirations.
And the Best Part? It's All Free
Using our intelligent F4S platform, you can browse role models across 50+ job roles, filter by gender, industry, or subject area, and book sessions—either in person or virtually—at a time that works for you. Sessions typically last an hour and are completely free to schools and colleges.
Book a Role Model and Bring Careers to Life
As careers education continues to evolve, we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. Our mission is to help you create experiences that are not only meaningful, but truly transformative.
Give your students a real-world connection to what they’re learning. Book a role model today and bring your lessons to life.
When Careers Advisor Chinyere Nnaukwu-Kalu Nkwocha began planning a careers event for Year 12 students at Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School, she reached out to F4S to see how we could support. From the very first conversation, our Regional Coordinator Helen Morris worked closely with Chinyere, making the process seamless—helping to secure inspiring speakers, shape the event format, and ensure students gained real-world insights with ease.
Providing Students with Real-World Role Models
The result? A fantastic 'Meet with Industry' event that gave students the opportunity to connect with professionals from a range of fields and explore a variety of career pathways. Speakers included Daniel Nti Boakye, a Software Testing Developer at Wessex Group, and David Ukwu, a Petroleum Engineering graduate with a Master’s in AI. Their stories resonated with students—especially during the speed networking sessions, where some students even secured work experience opportunities on the spot.
At F4S, we’re passionate about bridging the gap between education and industry, whether virtually or in person. This event was a perfect example of the power of real-world connections—where industry professionals helped students think bigger and stay open-minded about their futures.
“The event was a success. The students enjoyed networking with individuals from various industries and were able to secure some work experience placements. They thoroughly enjoyed it.”
— Ms. Nnaukwu-Kalu Nkwocha, Careers Advisor
We’re proud to have supported Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School and can’t wait to help more schools create these kinds of impactful experiences—showing students just how many exciting paths are ahead of them.
Want to inspire your students like Chinyere?
We were pleased to see that the interim report acknowledges many of the key points F4S raised in our call for evidence.
The Current System Is Not Working for Everyone
- A persistent attainment gap remains between socio-economically disadvantaged young people and their peers.
- Young people with SEND continue to make insufficient progress compared to their non-SEND peers.
The review will consider how we can positively impact outcomes for these groups using the levers at our disposal while remaining mindful of the broader challenges facing the sector.
We Need a Greater Focus on Applied Knowledge and Practical Skills
Reports consistently highlight that young people and their parents want a greater focus on applied knowledge and practical skills that will prepare them for life and work. Key areas of interest include financial education, careers knowledge, AI, and politics and governance.
Polling data shows that:
- 34% of Key Stage 4 learners and 43% of their parents would have liked more emphasis on finance and budgeting.
- 32% of Key Stage 4 learners and 36% of their parents wanted more time dedicated to employment and interview skills.
The curriculum review will assess whether these areas are sufficiently covered within subjects and explore how content can remain relevant to help young people thrive in a rapidly changing world. This may involve further embedding these critical skills across different parts of the curriculum.
Current evidence suggests that too many young people are not acquiring the essential knowledge and skills they need. As a result, by the time they leave formal education, they may not be fully prepared for the demands of life and work.
What This Means For F4S?
- We will continue to champion programmes that support students from low-income backgrounds and young people with SEND.
- We will ensure that every student encounter includes real-world skills and applied knowledge that prepares them for the future.
- We will explore the development of new programmes, with a particular focus on financial education and artificial intelligence.
🔗 Read our full response here
Not everyone knows what they want to be when they grow up, and that's why it's essential for young people to hear stories of challenges and change when figuring out their future...
👋 Meet Freya, our amazing University Ambassador who has shared her story with the F4S community and wants to use her experiences to provide guidance to the younger generation.
We asked her a few questions about her motivation to volunteer and why she chose F4S. Here’s what she said ⬇️
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how long you've been volunteering with F4S…
⭐ “I started my Master’s in Data Science at the London School of Economics last autumn and soon after joined F4S as a university ambassador for the London region. I was born and raised in Germany, completed my undergraduate degree in Economics at the University of Heidelberg, and spent two years working in management consulting at Boston Consulting Group in Munich before moving to the UK.
I’m deeply passionate about data science and AI, particularly how rapid technological advancements are shaping business, daily life, and education. Outside of academics and work, I enjoy sports—especially running, boxing, and snowboarding—and love exploring London’s diverse music scene with friends on the weekends.”
Q: What made you decide to volunteer with F4S?
⭐ "I decided to volunteer with F4S because I immediately connected with its mission. Looking back at my time in high school, I know I would have greatly benefited from hearing university students and industry professionals share insights about their careers. I was unsure about what to study and had no clear vision of what career path I wanted to take. Like many students, I relied heavily on my (grand)parents’ advice and some internet research—neither of which turned out to be the best sources for making an informed decision."
Q: What motivates you to be part of the F4S mission?
⭐ "My motivation for being part of the F4S mission is the hope that I can make a difference for students—whether by inspiring them to pursue a more technical or analytical career, alleviating their fears about choosing a maths-heavy course, or showing young women that data science and tech are not just male-dominated fields for introverts. To me, the most important thing is providing guidance. Even if a student realizes after hearing my perspective that data science isn’t for them, that’s still a win because they’ve gained clarity."
Q: Is there any career advice you wish you had when you were younger?
⭐ "What do I wish I had known earlier? A lot! First and foremost, I wish someone had told me how much more flexible today’s job market is compared to a few decades ago. Yes, your degree shapes your career prospects, but if you’re hardworking and determined, you can pivot much more easily than people think. (For example, I have a former colleague at BCG who studied Greek and Latin and now works on digitalization projects!)
Secondly, I wish I hadn’t stressed so much about finishing university as quickly as possible or worrying obsessively about grades. Yes, academics matter, but in the long run, taking an extra semester or not having perfect grades won’t define your career. What truly matters is what you make of your time at university—broadening your perspective, engaging in societies, and getting to know yourself better. Studying is an incredible opportunity, and I wish I had appreciated that more."
Inspired by Freya's story? Join our volunteer community today and help shape the next generation’s future! Sign up here 🚀
We'd love to hear from you! 🙂
At F4S, we are passionate about connecting young students with industry leaders, particularly in fields where mathematics plays a central role. One of our recent highlights was our Virtual Assembly, featuring two senior women from Lloyd’s—Eleanor Bucks, Chief Investment Officer, and Uma Divekar, Senior Manager of Syndicate Capital. Their insights were nothing short of inspiring, and they left a lasting impression on the students who joined us from across the country.
A Day of Insight and Inspiration
During the assembly, Eleanor and Uma shared their career journeys, highlighting the key role maths plays in the finance and insurance sectors. Eleanor’s career, spanning over two decades, took her from Legal & General to Lloyd’s, while Uma brought her deep expertise in Syndicate Capital. Both leaders captivated students with stories of how maths is integral to success in their work, from solving complex problems to driving strategic decisions.
The leaders also discussed the vital skills needed to succeed—problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability—while emphasising how AI is shaping the future of their industries. Students were encouraged to embrace technology and refine their problem-solving and communication skills to stay ahead.
The Power of Problem-Solving and AI
A key takeaway from the session was the transformative impact of AI in finance and insurance. Eleanor and Uma shared examples of how AI is enhancing decision-making processes and transforming industries. By discussing the intersection of technology and mathematics, they inspired students to explore how these fields will continue to evolve and create exciting opportunities.
Both leaders stressed the importance of curiosity and continuous learning, encouraging students to embrace change and the possibilities that new technologies offer. Their experiences demonstrated that careers in finance and insurance are intellectually stimulating and full of potential for innovation and growth.
Inspiring the Future
This Virtual Assembly offered students the opportunity to engage with two powerful role models who showed them the exciting careers that can be achieved through a solid foundation in mathematics. Eleanor and Uma’s stories demonstrated the far-reaching impact of maths in finance, insurance, and beyond, and inspired students to think big about their own futures.
We are deeply grateful to Eleanor and Uma for their time, their insights, and their dedication to inspiring the next generation of leaders. Their stories show that with resilience, curiosity, and a passion for problem-solving, young people can achieve limitless success.
At F4S, we are committed to facilitating meaningful conversations between young people and professionals, sparking curiosity and building confidence. If you have a story like Eleanor’s or Uma’s, we would love for you to volunteer and help inspire the next generation. Together, we can break barriers and encourage young minds to explore new possibilities.
Teachers, if you'd like to bring inspiring leaders like Eleanor and Uma into your classroom, it's simple—get in touch today and let's empower the next generation!
At John Lyon School, Charn, a dedicated careers advisor, has been using F4S to connect students with top industry professionals, helping them broaden their career horizons and gain real-world insights. Through career and STEM events, Charn has successfully introduced students to professionals they wouldn’t normally have access to, providing valuable experiences that inspire their future choices.
Making Employer Connections Easy
Charn first heard about F4S when a colleague recommended it as an effective way to bring employers into schools for career events. After signing up, she was impressed by how simple and intuitive the platform was, allowing her to find and book relevant industry speakers quickly.
“It’s just a great way to access employers that you might not have any connections with,” Charn shared.Through the platform, she has arranged insightful career sessions that have given students exposure to a variety of industries, including STEM and technology, helping them understand the skills and opportunities available to them.
Providing Students with Real-World Role Models
One of the biggest advantages of using F4S has been the ability to bring in professionals who can share real experiences and career journeys, helping students see what’s possible for their futures. Whether through in-person or virtual sessions, these encounters have been transformative, encouraging students to think about careers in a new way.
Charn noted that the feedback from both students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the value of industry engagement in career education.
Flexibility to Suit Every School’s Needs
While Charn prefers in-person interactions, she values the flexibility of virtual sessions, which allow students to hear from industry leaders no matter their location. This ensures that career learning opportunities are always accessible, regardless of scheduling or logistical challenges.
The Impact
By using F4S, Charn has been able to enhance career education at John Lyon School, offering students inspirational encounters that shape their aspirations. Through direct access to top industry professionals, students have gained valuable insights into potential career paths, helping them make informed decisions about their futures.
Want to inspire your students like Charn?
At Lift Schools, a multi academy trust committed to delivering high-quality education and expanding opportunities for young people, Juliet Doyle, the National Secondary Curriculum Lead, has been using F4S to bring real-world maths applications into the classroom. By connecting students with professionals across diverse industries, she has helped them see how maths is used beyond the classroom and into exciting careers.
Using F4S to Enhance Maths Education
As part of Maths4Girls, a programme designed to encourage girls to continue studying maths beyond GCSE, Juliet saw an opportunity to introduce her students to inspiring female role models working in maths-related careers.
To celebrate Maths Week, Juliet organised a series of daily career insight sessions, bringing in professionals from a wide range of industries to show students where maths could take them.“It was a really amazing opportunity for students to see the real range of different industries, professionals, and people that use maths in their careers,” she shared.
Broadening Students’ Horizons
Through F4S, Juliet connected her students with high-profile financial companies, such as Lloyd’s of London and Aviva, alongside professionals from unexpected fields where maths plays a crucial role.
“Without this platform, we probably wouldn’t have had access to those professionals,” she explained.
One of the highlights of the program was a university student speaker, offering a relatable perspective on studying maths at a higher level.
“It was really nice because the speaker was closer in age to our pupils. They had recently gone through the same school experience, which made it much more relatable.”
A Seamless Fit for Schools
With Lift Schools' mission of empowering students through knowledge and opportunity, Juliet found F4S to be the perfect tool to provide students with valuable career insights. The flexibility of the platform allowed her to schedule sessions that worked within the school timetable, ensuring that students could attend without disruption.“In schools, nothing ever happens exactly on the hour, so being able to book speakers at 10:10 rather than a fixed time was incredibly useful,” she shared.
The Impact
By bringing real-world role models into the classroom, Juliet helped students—especially girls—see the value of maths beyond school. The diverse range of speakers challenged stereotypes, opened minds, and inspired students to consider new career pathways they hadn’t thought of before.
Want to inspire your students like Juliet?
At Leyton Sixth Form College, Joseph, a dedicated maths teacher, has been using F4S to bring real-world career experiences into his classroom. With a keen focus on helping students see the real-world applications of STEM and finance, Joseph has transformed his enrichment classes by introducing students to industry professionals they wouldn’t usually have access to.
Bringing Representation into STEM
One of Joseph’s key priorities has been to ensure that his all-female class has access to relatable role models. Using F4S’s smart matching technology, he was able to connect with STEM mentors who reflect the diversity of his students, helping them see a future for themselves in science, technology, engineering, and maths."It was really nice to have the selection boxes and actually be able to get STEM mentors that promote that representation," Joseph shared.
Exclusive Access to Industry Leaders
Beyond STEM, Joseph also used F4S to broaden his students’ exposure to careers in finance. He successfully booked a session with a director at Revolut, providing his students with a unique opportunity to hear from a leader in the financial sector.Joseph explains: "That kind of access to industry leaders wouldn’t have been possible if I had just reached out to finance companies directly"
Flexible and Accessible Learning
With recorded sessions available, Joseph ensures that students can engage with career insights on their own time. The flexibility of the platform has been a game-changer for integrating career learning into his curriculum."Being able to book sessions around our timetable has been really useful," he said.
The Impact
Through F4S, Joseph has been able to offer his students a window into industries, careers, and pathways that might have once felt out of reach. By connecting them with real-world role models, he is helping to inspire the next generation of STEM and finance professionals.
Want to inspire your students like Joseph?
We’ve all felt lost and overwhelmed when trying to find our place in the working world, which is why it’s important to have role models that you can look up to…
👋 Meet Andrew, our amazing volunteer who has shared his story with the F4S community and advocates for neurodivergent workplaces that are supportive of all employees.
We asked him a few questions about his volunteering motivations and why he chose F4S. Here’s what he said ⬇️
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how long you've been volunteering with F4S…
⭐ “I run a brand consultancy, helleau, and teach subjects around branding and digital marketing to Masters’ students.
I am a late-diagnosed neurodivergent (Autism and ADHD) person who for years struggled with life and work. I was perceived as being very intelligent, but struggled academically; I was perceived as being extrovert but struggled in many social settings. With diagnosis came an understanding of why the world sees me how it does, and why I see the world as I do. I have only just started volunteering for F4S in the past few weeks.”
Q: What made you decide to volunteer with F4S?
"An ex-student introduced me to F4S and thought it might be something I was interested in; I was immediately!"
Q: What motivates you to be part of the F4S mission?
"I struggled in education, work, and life until I found what works for me. I welcome any opportunity to be a part of making this process less tough for new generations!"
Q: Is there any career advice you wish you had when you were younger?
"It would have been really helpful to have known about neurodivergence in school already, instead of only in my 30s! There’s little point in wishing things had been different though, they weren’t, overall I think the best advice is to find your own way and that there are many ways!"
Do you want to volunteer your time to inspire the next generation of young professionals? Sign up here
We'd love to hear from you! 🙂
📅 3rd – 8th March
National Careers Week (NCW) is an exciting opportunity for educators to bring careers education to life in their classrooms. This year’s theme, “You Can!”, is all about inspiring and empowering young people to explore their future career pathways.
At F4S, we’re passionate about connecting students with industry professionals who can provide real-world career insights. Our mission is to help students discover diverse career options and ignite their enthusiasm for the future.
This blog post outlines everything you and your students can get involved with during National Careers Week.
🔹 Social Media Takeovers
Each day this week, we’ll be featuring inspiring career stories from volunteers across different industries. These professionals will share their personal career journeys, offering valuable advice and insights to help students explore the many career paths available.
We’ll also be spotlighting success stories from students who have been supported by F4S—showcasing how guidance and mentorship can make a real difference in navigating career choices.
Don’t miss out! Click the icons below to follow us on social media.
🎥 Virtual Assemblies
We’re hosting two engaging virtual assemblies to inspire students with real-world career insights.
🌍 Shaping Sustainable Futures with Christoph Harwood
📅 Tuesday 4th March
⏰ 10:30 - 11:00 AM
📌 Register here to secure your spot
Join us for an eye-opening session with Christoph Harwood, a sustainability expert dedicated to protecting our planet. Christoph has spent over a decade at the intersection of environmental challenges and business innovation—pioneering tidal energy technology, leading strategic initiatives at Simply Blue Group, and advising through Marksman Consulting.
✅ What students will gain:
- An understanding of the role of fisheries and aquaculture in the global ecosystem.
- Insights into how businesses can drive sustainability efforts.
- Career inspiration in environmental science, sustainable engineering, and consulting.
👥 Perfect for:
- Students interested in sustainability and climate action.
- Those considering studying environmental science, business studies, or sustainability.
🔧 Sustainable Futures: Engineering a Greener Tomorrow
📅 Tuesday 4th March
⏰ 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
📌 Register here to secure your spot
How can engineering and innovation help solve the biggest environmental challenges of our time? This session explores green engineering, carbon reduction, and sustainable business models shaping the future.
Our guest speakers include:
- Gagan Jagpal, Portfolio Manager at the Hanro Group, with extensive expertise in property management and sustainability.
- Hamish Barrie, an Accounting & Finance undergraduate at Newcastle University, who will discuss how sustainability has influenced his degree so far.
✅ What students will gain:
- Insights into careers in sustainable engineering, environmental science, and green business.
- An understanding of how technology is driving sustainability efforts.
- Real-world examples of innovative solutions in carbon reduction and renewable energy.
👥 Perfect for:
- Students interested in engineering, sustainability, and climate action.
- Those considering studying environmental science, renewable energy, or business sustainability.
- Students looking at Newcastle University or other Russell Group universities.
🚀 NCW Student Challenge: The Future of Work
The world of work is changing rapidly—many jobs that exist today didn’t even exist five years ago! Think Social Media Manager, AI Ethics Consultant, or Drone Operator.
This week, we challenge your students to invent a brand-new job role that doesn’t exist yet but could be needed in the future. Students should create a short video or written pitch explaining their idea.
📌 Find out more about the challenge and how to enter
🏆 Exciting prizes to be won!
📚 Classroom Resources
To support meaningful career conversations during National Careers Week, check out these fantastic resources:
✅ NCW Virtual Careers Fair – An interactive event featuring employer exhibits, career resources, and industry insights.
✅ The Careers & Enterprise Company: My Learning, My Future – Subject-specific resources that highlight career pathways linked to different school subjects.
✅ Skills Builder – Lesson plans and activities designed to develop essential skills for future careers.
Let’s Make National Careers Week Inspiring!
We hope you and your students enjoy an exciting National Careers Week full of inspiration and discovery.
💡 Got questions? Want to share your NCW success stories?
We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch and let us know how your students are getting involved.
🎉 Let’s inspire students futures together!