Panjango and the Gatsby Benchmarks

We're creating flexible tools to help any educator deliver career learning in fun, engaging and meaningful ways. Here are the ways in which Panjango's games and resources can help your school meet the Gatsby Benchmarks... 

Benchmark 1: A stable careers programme

Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers and employers.

How Panjango supports this Benchmark:

  • Panjango Online and The Panjango Game embed careers into the core curriculum by giving Maths, English and Science real world context
  • resources can be easily and flexibly used by any educator or parent and are suitable for young people from Year 7 onwards
  • Panjango Online offers a free and accessible platform of careers information and activities
  • The Panjango Game and Panjango Trumps offer a great way of engaging parents in career learning activities 

Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information

Every pupil, and their parents, should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information.

How Panjango supports this Benchmark:

  • All Panjango games and resources present careers information and labour market information in fun format as part of gamified experience
  • The Panjango Game and Panjango Trumps designed to be used in family settings (as well as in schools) to extend career learning beyond the classroom
  • Panjango Trumps: Future Jobs uniquely explores careers of the future helping pupils and parents understand new opportunities that will arise

Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each pupil

Pupils have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.

How Panjango supports this Benchmark:

  • all Panjango games and resources stimulate thought and discussion about future life choices providing the perfect starting point for guidance tailored to each pupil 
  • games pro-actively challenge gender stereotypes to promote equality and diversity
  • use of game-based learning appeals to a wider range of learning styles 
  • Panjango focuses on open exploration of the world of work to better support pupils who have no firm career aspirations

Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers

All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. For example, STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of career pathways.

How Panjango supports this Benchmark:

  • Panjango Online maps Key Stage 3 Maths, English and Science topics to work-related challenges covering 120 different careers
  • Challenges directly show how learning in applied in real world contexts
  • Filter systems allows teachers to display challenges by subject, topic and curriculum level
  • The Panjango Game also includes contextualised Maths, English and Science challenges

Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees

Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment opportunities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.

How Panjango supports this Benchmark:

  • Panjango Online allows pupils to explore more than 50 'virtual' workplaces and undertake mock workplace challenges relating to jobs that may be found in those locations
  • Panjango Online 'Skills' and 'Experience' challenges demonstrate the important non-academic skills and attributes young people must develop
  • The Panjango Game also features a range of contextualised challenges to bring workplace scenarios to life in a home or classroom setting
  • Panjango Trumps packs introduce pupils to 50 current and 50 future jobs

Benchmark 6: Experiences of Workplaces

Every pupil should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.

How Panjango supports this Benchmark:

  • Panjango Online brings the world of work into the classroom through contextualised workplace challenges
  • contextualised challenges allow pupils to apply their knowledge and skills to 'real' workplace scenarios covering 120 careers
  • use of Panjango games can make it easier and more engaging for visiting professionals to bring their careers to life for young people

Benchmark 7: Encounters with further and higher education

All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.

How Panjango supports this Benchmark:

  • all games and resources offer careers information in a variety of engaging formats to inform pathways
  • Panjango Online demonstrates application of knowledge and skills in 120 different career paths

Benchmark 8: Personal guidance

Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a Careers Adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs.

How Panjango supports this Benchmark:

  • Panjango's pick-up-and-play games make it easy for any educator (or parent) to deliver quality, engaging career learning activities - even when a qualified Careers Adviser in not available
  • Physical games can be made available to pupils in classrooms or libraries for them to undertake career learning independently when it most suits them