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Academic Tutor

At Post-16 we deliver Academic Tutor sessions, these are scheduled sessions where students meet with their Academic Tutor on a regular weekly basis. 

The purpose is to support students beyond their subject lessons and usually includes: 

  • Delivering careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG). 
  • Supporting UCAS, apprenticeships, and progression planning. 
  • Developing study skills, resilience, and employability skills. 
  • Covering personal development, wellbeing, safeguarding, and British Values. 
  • Providing time for individual tutorials and mentoring conversations. 
  • Reviewing attendance, punctuality, and progress. 
  • Setting and monitoring academic targets. 

Tutor time is often one of the most effective channels for delivering a structured programme of: 

  • Careers guidance 
  • Gatsby Benchmark activities 
  • Personal development 
  • Progression planning 
  • Employability skills 

It essentially acts as the backbone of the Post-16 tutorial and personal development programme. 

Skills builder

Skills Builder is a UK-based framework that helps people develop the essential employability and life skills needed for success in education, work, and everyday life. It is widely used by schools, colleges, employers, and training providers. [skillsbuilder.org], [skillsbuilder.uk] 

The Skills Builder framework focuses on eight essential skills: 

  1. Listening – understanding and interpreting information. 
  2. Speaking – communicating ideas clearly and effectively. 
  3. Problem Solving – identifying and resolving challenges. 
  4. Creativity – generating and developing new ideas. 
  5. Staying Positive (now often referred to within the broader skill of Adapting in Framework 2.0) – resilience and perseverance. 
  6. Aiming High – setting goals and taking responsibility for achieving them. 
  7. Leadership – supporting and guiding others. 
  8. Teamwork – working effectively with others.  

A key feature of Skills Builder is the Universal Framework, which breaks each skill into a sequence of progressive steps, from beginner level through to advanced mastery. This allows learners to understand their current level and identify clear next steps for development.  

Why is it used in education?

Schools and colleges use Skills Builder to: 

  • Develop students’ employability skills. 
  • Support careers education and Gatsby Benchmarks. 
  • Track and evidence personal development. 
  • Help young people articulate their strengths to employers and universities. 

Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 standards for good careers guidance in schools and colleges in England. They were developed by the Gatsby Foundation and are referenced in Department for Education guidance as the benchmark for high-quality careers education. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk], [gov.uk] 

The 8 Gatsby Benchmarks

  1. A Stable Careers Programme
    A planned, structured careers programme that is understood by students, staff, parents and employers. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk] 
  2. Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
    Students and parents have access to up-to-date information about careers, routes and labour market trends. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk] 
  3. Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil
    Careers guidance is tailored to individual needs, backgrounds and aspirations. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk] 
  4. Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
    Teachers help students understand how subjects relate to careers and future opportunities. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk] 
  5. Encounters with Employers and Employees
    Students regularly meet employers and hear about workplaces and career pathways. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk] 
  6. Experiences of Workplaces
    Students gain firsthand experience of the workplace through visits, work experience or similar activities. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk] 
  7. Encounters with Further and Higher Education
    Students learn about the full range of post-16 and post-18 options, including colleges, apprenticeships and universities. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk], [gov.uk] 
  8. Personal Guidance
    Students receive impartial careers guidance from a qualified careers adviser at key decision points. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk] 

Why do we work towards them?

As a Careers and Pathways Leader, you’re likely working towards them because they: 

  • Provide a nationally recognised standard for careers education and guidance. [gatsbybenc…rks.org.uk], [gov.uk] 
  • Improve student outcomes, including career readiness, aspirations and progression into education, employment or training. [gatsby.org.uk] 
  • Reduce the likelihood of students becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). [gatsby.org.uk] 
  • Promote social mobility, ensuring all young people—not just those with strong family or professional networks—have access to opportunities and information. [gatsby.org.uk] 
  • Support Ofsted and statutory expectations, as the Benchmarks underpin government careers guidance policy. [gatsby.org.uk], [gov.uk] 
  • Help students make informed decisions about qualifications, apprenticeships, further education, higher education and employment. [gatsby.org.uk] 

“The Gatsby Benchmarks are the national quality standards for careers education. We work towards them so every student can understand their options, develop employability skills, meet employers, experience the workplace, and make informed decisions about their future.”