First school in Hong Kong to be awarded the prestigious Quality in Careers Standard (QCS) 

Setting the Standard for Careers Guidance

In an increasingly competitive global landscape, ensuring students are prepared for their futures is paramount. For international schools, it is vital that students applying to universities or entering the workforce do so on equal footing with their counterparts studying under the Cambridge British education system (GCSEs and A-Levels). Recognising this, the Korean International School (KIS) has achieved a significant milestone: it is the first school in Hong Kong to be awarded the prestigious Quality in Careers Standard (QCS).

Setting the Standard for Careers Guidance

The UK Department for Education (DfE) “strongly recommends” that all secondary schools work towards achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard. It stands as the single national quality award for Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG). While over 1100 schools, colleges, and work-based learning providers across England hold or are working towards the award, KIS’s achievement marks a groundbreaking moment for international education in Hong Kong.

A recent UK government report highlights the growing emphasis on structured careers education. The data reveals that:

  • 97% of secondary schools surveyed have a dedicated Careers Leader overseeing their programme.
  • 94% report that pupils have accessed information about career paths by age 14.
  • 91% ensure pupils receive personal guidance with a careers professional by age 16.
  • 87% have a well-resourced, whole-institution careers programme.

Despite this strong focus, the QCS remains an elite benchmark. While 80% of UK secondary leaders have heard of the Standard, only 14% of all secondary schools currently hold it, with another 31% in the process of applying. This makes KIS’s accreditation particularly exceptional.

The Gatsby Benchmarks: A Framework for Success

To achieve the award, schools are assessed against strict National Accreditation Criteria that incorporate the Gatsby Benchmarks. These benchmarks provide a rigorous framework for improving careers provision:

  1. A stable careers programme
  2. Learning from career and labour market information
  3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
  4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
  5. Encounters with employers and employees
  6. Experiences of workplaces
  7. Encounters with further and higher education
  8. Personal guidance

KIS has been recognised for the quality and breadth of its career services, which are fully aligned with these eight benchmarks, ensuring that the needs of all learners are met. The statutory guidance in the UK notably covers all learners up to the age of 18.

KIS: Fostering Vision and Encouraging Action

The school’s mission—to find passion, foster vision, and encourage action—is deeply rooted in directly linking the secondary education experience to future career pathways. KIS ensures that careers education is a continuous journey rather than a one-off event.

Students benefit from a highly structured approach:

  • Key Stage 3 & 4: Students receive dedicated weekly careers lessons to build early awareness and skills.
  • Key Stage 5: Students receive 1-on-1 personalised guidance to navigate university applications and workforce entry.
  • Real-World Experience: The curriculum integrates industry placements for vital work experience and brings employers into the school to provide industry-specific encounters.

Speaking on the landmark achievement, KIS Careers Leader Ashleigh Vilk stated:

“The award is a testament to the hard work put in by all school staff to give students the very best of experiences and opportunities, helping to prepare them for the future. We pride ourselves on helping students build skills for job readiness.”

Navigating the rigorous accreditation process requires immense dedication and expert collaboration. KIS would like to extend our deepest thanks to our consulting partners who guided us on this journey. Special gratitude goes to Sam Ansell, Director of Investor in Careers LTD, and Clare Rowe, our dedicated assessor, for their invaluable expertise and support in helping KIS achieve this historic milestone for our students.

By meeting these rigorous standards, KIS is not only ensuring its students are ready for the jobs of tomorrow, but also proving that international education in Hong Kong can compete with—and match—the highest standards of careers guidance worldwide.