On Thursday, 10th July, from 1:30pm to 3:00pm, High Grange School will host its first-ever Careers Fayre, welcoming a wide range of employers and education providers. This exciting event is a key part of our whole-school careers programme, offering students the chance to meet and engage with professionals from a diverse range of industries.

Organisations attending this year’s Careers Fayre include the University of Derby, the British Army, the Police, Rushcliffe Care, Harrison Haulage Farming, and Donnington Racetrack. We are also pleased to welcome a local electrician, Keele University (Forensic Science and Sciences), JCB, CrowdStrike, Alstom (STEM careers), and Rolls-Royce. Each of these providers brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, offering our students real insight into a variety of career and educational pathways.

The Careers Fayre is designed to inspire students, broaden their understanding of the world of work, and give them the chance to explore a wide variety of post-16 and post-18 options. It supports by offering meaningful encounters with employers and providers, and helping students develop a clearer picture of what their future could look like.

For students in Key Stage 3, this event builds on earlier phases of their enrichment programme. Over the course of the year, they have focused on self-awareness, early career exploration, and understanding how their interests and strengths relate to potential career paths. The Careers Fayre will allow them to see how these ideas translate into real opportunities, supported by tools such as the Careers Skills Grid, which helps them identify and reflect on key transferable skills.

In Key Stages 4 and 5, students have been engaging more deeply with structured PSHE careers units, covering topics such as sector growth, the influence of global developments like artificial intelligence and sustainability, and the pathways available through higher education, training, and employment. After their exams, these students will take part in careers enrichment days that complement the Fayre and focus on practical preparation, including CV writing, interview skills, and sector-specific learning.

The purpose of holding the Careers Fayre within the school setting is to provide students with direct exposure to the world of work in a familiar and supportive environment. It allows them to gain valuable insights, practice communication skills, and receive tailored guidance related to their individual interests and aspirations. Events like this make learning more meaningful and encourage students to begin planning their futures with confidence and clarity.

The in-school format also supports our commitment to inclusive practice. Students with additional needs, including autistic learners, benefit from engaging with employers in a controlled, low-stress setting. Prior to the event, they will be supported with timetabled visits, visual schedules, communication aids, and preparation activities to ensure they feel confident and informed. This approach helps to reduce anxiety, develop key social interaction skills, and make the world of work more accessible.

Crucially, the Careers Fayre enables students to begin identifying how their strengths align with specific roles or sectors. By connecting with professionals and asking questions, students gain personalised insight that contributes to well-informed decisions about their post-16 and post-18 transitions. Following the event, staff will also offer follow-up sessions to support reflection, answer further questions, and begin the next stage of career planning.

This first Careers Fayre marks an important milestone in the development of our careers programme and highlights our commitment to preparing students for life beyond school. We are grateful to all participating organisations for supporting our learners and helping them to envision exciting and achievable futures.

 Alison Seager Spicer