Recommendation 19

HM Government Accepted

The Government accepts this recommendation. As set out in response to Recommendation 13, we recognise the importance of high-quality careers education in primary schools. The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) is currently piloting careers programmes in 70 primary schools across 10 Careers Hubs in Education Investment Areas. The CEC is also developing a framework for primary careers education, working with primary schools to identify and share best practice. This will help to ensure that careers education in primary schools is consistent and of high quality. We agree with the Committee that there is a need to develop a tailored set of benchmarks for careers education in primary schools. We will work with the Gatsby Foundation and other stakeholders to develop a framework for primary careers education that is appropriate for the age and stage of primary school children. This will build on the learning from the CEC’s primary pilots and will provide clear guidance and resources to support primary schools to deliver high-quality careers education. We will also consider how the CEC can best support primary schools to meet these benchmarks, including through the provision of resources, training, and networks. We will set out further detail in the Strategic Action Plan for Careers, which we will publish in 2024. This will include findings following stakeholder discussions on the best way to implement the Committee’s recommendations and set timeframes for doing so.