The return of the school’s Careers Convention following a three-year break was a huge success. The evening was well supported by representatives of local companies and by training providers, colleges and universities. The main aim of the event is to provide as broad a range as possible of career and further/higher education opportunities for students to explore. It also provides students and their parents the chance to talk directly to employers about the qualifications and skills that are valued in the workplace.

It was clear that students and their parents embraced the opportunity to have first-hand conversations with the representatives and the evening was busy throughout. We are really pleased that so many students and parents were able to attend and to take advantage of the wealth of advice and guidance on offer.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the organisations that participated on the evening. We really appreciate the contribution made towards informing our students about their options for the future. It was especially lovely to invite so many past students back to school representing a diverse selection of employment and training sectors including primary teaching, hairdressing, building and carpentry, and colleges.

Thank you, too, to the year 11 and sixth form students who helped to make our visitors feel welcome as they arrived and set up, or who helped with food and refreshments. Your support was invaluable to the smooth running of the whole event.

Here are just a few of the comments made by visitors from participating organisations:

• Thank you for the invite – I haven’t stopped talking all night.
• Really well organised, students interested, polite and engaged
• Very interested students, lots of beneficial questions. Keen and willing to listen. Student helpers very polite so thank you for all the help and support given.
• Great interaction from students. Students super interested and asking questions even if they are unsure on career path yet.
• Excellent event. I just need more staff to assist me with all the well prepared questions. Thanks.
• It was such a pleasant surprise to be asked about apprenticeships! Students asked insightful questions and were confident about starting conversations.
• Students asked meaningful questions – very polite and inquisitive
• This was an excellent event – busy with lots of questions. Thank you!
• Questions were thoughtful and they were really happy to approach us.
• Well run event, very mature students, a credit to the school
• Very good event, well organised and lovely students! Thank you for inviting me!
• We really enjoyed it and thought that the students were really engaged and asked thoughtful questions