On Thursday 27th February, Risedale School's main hall was transformed into an interactive career marketplace, as pupils explored a wide range of pathways at the annual Careers Fair. This event provided direct access to industry experts and further education establishments, encouraging pupils to ask questions and discover their potential.

Throughout the day, pupils broadened their horizons by engaging directly with representatives from Darlington College, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Askham Bryan College, Amey, The ASK Programme, CLC Group, Gestamp, iNPIPE Products, Martin Gray Football Academy, MPCT (Military Preparation College for Training), Purple Creative Studio, Tom Willoughby Ltd and the Armed Forces. They seized the opportunity to ask questions, gain valuable insights, and uncover a variety of post-16 opportunities.

This year's fair was designed to move beyond simply showcasing options, focusing instead on fostering genuine connections and sparking meaningful dialogue. Pupils were encouraged to ask questions specific to their interests and career aspirations, taking ownership of their exploration and gathering insightful information directly from representatives across the various educational and professional fields.

Risedale's Careers Leader, Helen Porritt, said, “We aimed to create an experience that would truly resonate with our pupils. It wasn't just about handing out brochures; it was about opening doors to real-world opportunities and empowering our pupils to visualise their potential futures. Our commitment to robust Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) underpins all our career-focused initiatives, ensuring pupils have the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions. We also wanted to highlight the diverse skills and pathways that are valued in today's workforce, from apprenticeships to higher education, from creative industries to STEM fields, allowing pupils to explore a wide range of possibilities.”

Khusela Mbassa, Social Value Advisor for Amey said, "It's been fantastic seeing Risedale's future generation chart their lives! The pupils were so engaged, especially with our Gravity Maze task, and we had amazing conversations about apprenticeships. Hearing how last year's work experience with Amey helped them in their applications was truly rewarding and makes it all worthwhile!"

Martin Heard from Gestamp commented, "It was a pleasure to be at the Careers Day; there were some brilliant questions being asked which showed the intelligence and engineering mindset some of the students had. Hopefully we will see you again next year!"

The event's impact was further amplified by news coverage from Robbie Burns, Radio Presenter, Producer & Programmer for BFBS Radio, who captured the day's vibrant atmosphere. We are also immensely grateful for the unwavering support of our Careers Advisor, Tracy Harris, whose expertise is invaluable, and to Nicola Stannard, an HR & Recruitment Manager from the North East, whose recent insights from her guest speaker session at our Tuesday lunchtime Careers Cafe proved particularly relevant for the pupils.

The Risedale Careers Fair provided a memorable and impactful experience for our pupils, opening their eyes to a world of career possibilities. We are deeply appreciative of the time and expertise shared by our exhibitors, our valued guests, and the unwavering support of our school staff. The meticulous planning and execution, particularly by our Careers Team, Office and Site Teams, ensured a smooth and engaging event, allowing our pupils to fully benefit from this exceptional opportunity.

For more information on our Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme, please CLICK HERE.