A chance to take an academic breather or the making of you" A gap year may just be the path to career success. Laura Sutherland finds out about the benefits of taking a gap year

With its roots in the 17th century high- society tradition of ?the Grand Tour? (essentially a three-year cultural jolly around Europe), the much more democratic pre-university gap year has long been a rite of passage for sixth-form leavers.
However, while it was once an opportunity to work, delay the rigours of further-education academia and maybe even fit in a few months of overseas hostel-hopping, the post- pandemic possibilities for an altogether more meaningful and CV-friendly hiatus are abundant.
Benefits of taking a gap year: gaining independence A Raleigh International group treks across South Africa’s Drakensberg

With evidence to show that the evolving workplace is prizing relevant experience almost as highly as qualifications ? a 2023 Hays Recruitment survey found that 45 per cent of employers felt that an applicant having a degree ?wasn?t important? ? it may be that the way you spend these precious 12 months of freedom makes all the difference to your future career prospects. From volunteering and teaching to work experience, there are now many ways to spend this interim period that will pay dividends well past graduation.

But where to start" A school?s careers department should be any sixth former?s first port of call, and Gresham?s head of careers, Sue Osbo...