A Guide to the Law for School Governors (September 2008)

This updated Guide sets out the statutory requirements relating to governing body responsibilities. It includes a section on the requirements relating to careers education and information, advice and guidance for learning and careers. Find out more

The relevant passages are:

40.        All publicly funded secondary schools, including specialist schools and pupil referral units, are required to provide a programme of careers education to pupils in Years 9–11 (Section 43 of the Education Act 1997 ). Within this, each secondary school must have an accessible careers library that contains up-to-date information on careers and post-16 progression opportunities (Section 45 of the Education Act 1997 ). Since September 2004 this requirement has also covered young people in Years 7 and 8 (see the Education (Extension of Careers Education) (England) Regulations 2003 ). The Education and Skills Bill, if passed, will place a statutory duty on schools to deliver careers education impartially, and requires that advice must be in the best interests of the pupil. Also, schools will be required to have regard to guidance which will support them in delivering impartial careers education. This will include principles of impartial careers education.

41.        In the revised Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) curriculum, careers education forms part of the economic well-being strand. There is no prescribed programme of study for careers education, but the Department has published a national non­statutory framework for careers education and guidance for 11- to 19­year­olds. This describes aims, learning outcomes and content for careers education programmes. A Careers Education Support Programme provides good practice guidance and exemplar schemes of work to support careers education teachers (available at the Programme’s central website).

42.        The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families has a duty to ensure the provision of careers services for school and college students (Section 8 of the Employment and Training Act 1973). Maintained schools, pupil referral units, further education and sixth-form colleges must work in partnership with Connexions services to make impartial careers guidance available to young people.

Under the Race Relations Act 1976, the governing body must not discriminate against a child on grounds of race in giving pupils careers guidance and work experience.