Compass is a free digital product that enables colleges to complete a Compass evaluation, measuring careers provision against the Gatsby Benchmarks, and record Careers Impact internal leadership review responses, to effectively identify strengths and discover areas for improvement within their careers provision.
Compass evaluation
A Compass evaluation enables colleges to quickly and easily evaluate their careers activity against eight benchmarks of best practice – known as the Gatsby Benchmarks.
The Gatsby Benchmark framework is at the heart of statutory guidance for careers education in England. More support and information about the framework, including how the Gatsby Benchmarks can be applied in your setting, can be found in Careers guidance and access for education and training providers.
Resources to support the successful implementation of the Gatsby Benchmarks can be found on the CEC Resource Directory.
To evaluate your careers provision against the Gatsby Benchmarks, a college can complete a Compass evaluation. This takes around 30 minutes to complete. We recommend completing a Compass evaluation once a term to effectively track and monitor your institution's progress. Please note: you will need to know details of learner numbers in your year groups before starting a Compass evaluation.
Further guidance on creating a Compass account and completing a Compass evaluation can be found in the Help Centre articles listed below:
Internal Leadership Review
An internal leadership review is based on the Careers Impact Maturity Model, which provides a shared language of how careers can be positioned as a driver for school, special school and college improvement.
Undertaking an internal leadership review supports the quality assurance of your careers provision and encourages continuous improvement aligned to your whole institution's priorities.
Further guidance on the Careers Impact System and Internal leadership reviews can be found in the Help Centre articles listed below:
- Careers Impact System Essential Guidance (Colleges)
- Overview - Internal Leadership Review (Colleges)