The workforce of tomorrow had twice the advice on offer, when a WNAT school’s annual careers fair doubled in size.

The Futures Event 2025 at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn expanded to comprise an Employment Zone in the Peter Hopkins Hall and an Education Zone in the Sixth Form Hub, with over fifty exhibitors from the worlds of work and education represented.

“The event took place for the first time in this format last year and was a great success,” said Nicky Thompson, who is Careers Lead and joint Head of Year 13 at the school. “We doubled the space this year."

“The majority of exhibitors returned, and we had some new businesses joining us, including SaxonAir, Marsh Insurance Brokers, Ford and Slater, Dodman Ltd, Mars Ltd, and Cranswick Country Foods.

“We were delighted to welcome back a wide range of employers from the local area, including the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, QEH, Lovell, BAE Systems, Mapus-Smith and Lemmon, and Hayes and Storr.”

“A wider range of employment sectors were represented this year, and many of the exhibitors brought interactive activities to give students a taste of different career options,” she continued. “For example, SaxonAir brought a flight simulator, and Lovell brought a range of have-a-go construction activities.

“Uniformed services were also well presented, with Norfolk Police, the Army, and the RAF in attendance.”

More than 1,000 students from Years 10 to 13 spent the day off-timetable at the event, which was organised by Miss Thompson with the assistance of Co-Head of Year 13 Jessica Cuss, along with Head of Year 12 Luke Rawling, Head of Year 11 Rebecca Davies-Mays, and Head of Year 10 Pete Cuss.

“It was specifically aimed at 14 to 18-year-old students, who are making important decisions about their post-16 and post-18 choices,” she explained.

“Heads of Year for different age groups put together an itinerary of tailored careers activities before students attended the careers fair. These involved employers and education providers – including further education colleges and universities – delivering workshops to help students make informed decisions about their next steps.”

Year 10 students heard from the College of West Anglia, Springwood Sixth Form, and the Apprenticeship Service about post-GCSE choices; while Year 11 were guided through the ‘Help You Choose’ application process; Year 12 learnt about the benefits of securing work experience; and Year 13 practised their interview techniques with Dodman Managing Director Tim Skerritt, and heard from Springwood alumnus Ruby Goodchild, who is currently completing an apprenticeship with Maxey Grounds.

“Springwood High School is committed to providing high quality Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) for all students, encouraging them to aim higher, and explore engaging and rewarding careers,” added Miss Thompson.

“The school’s Careers Plan ensures that every student has opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment, and the skills that are valued in the workplace. The Futures Event brings together students and multiple employers to do just that.”