Championing Careers Guidance in Schools: impact evaluation

The London Mayor's 'Time for action' report (2008) set out a clear vision for the establishment of new academies to improve educational outcomes in London schools and to work more effectively with business partners, the public sector and community organisations to achieve positive pathways for London's young people. In this context the Greater London Authority (GLA) awarded funding to four London academies to deliver the Championing Careers Guidance in Schools (CCGS) programme. The academies were expected to develop new strategies based on a 'whole-school' approach to careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) and to track the destination outcomes of students at the end of Years 11, 12 and 13. Through the GLA investment, each academy developed a personalised approach to developing and delivering their own careers offer to young people, parents/carers and teachers, in partnership with businesses and other agencies.

In September 2014, GLA commissioned CFE Research to undertake an evaluation of the CCGS investment. This report of the evaluation highlights key findings alongside some of the main challenges associated with impact assessment. Measuring the full impact of CEIAG is complex. Individuals and their expectations, needs and problems vary widely. The help students receive is often diverse, co-exists with other interventions and influences and can be problematic to track progress. Outcomes, both intended and unintended, behavioural and attitudinal, short- and long-term can also vary widely. Nonetheless, the research team examined differing and complementary approaches to CEIAG in these four London academies. Based on the data available from the four academies and GLA, findings are broadly positive in relation to a value for money assessment and key lessons learned from the CCGS investment.

Taken as a whole, across the four academies there has been an increase in the number of students entering higher education. Simultaneously, there has also been a reduction in the number of young people not in education employment or training (NEET) over the same period. A key issue that needs further attention is raising awareness of all young people on the full range of options available, including apprenticeships. Given the proportion of young people in apprenticeships and jobs with training in London stood at half the England average in 2014 and has fallen in recent years, more needs to be done in raising awareness of these learning and earning pathways, including apprenticeships/higher apprenticeships.

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