Futures Fair Connects King Edward VI Pupils With the World of Work
King Edward VI School and Sixth Form hosted its annual Futures Fair last Friday, welcoming 36 businesses to support pupils in exploring future career pathways and developing their understanding of the world of work.
The Futures Fair began with a dedicated session for Year 11 pupils, who attended a panel discussion of early‑career professionals in the Dobson Theatre. Many of the speakers were former pupils, returning to share their personal journeys from school into employment. They spoke about apprenticeships, university routes, first jobs and the skills that have helped them succeed in the early stages of their careers. It even included one former student discussing the time she has spent delivering training on oil rigs off the coast of Cameroon!
Throughout the morning, pupils in Year 10 and both Lower and Upper Sixth Form were invited to explore the main hall, where delegates from businesses from a wide range of sectors were exhibiting. These included representatives from banking firm JP Morgan, law firm Moore & Barlow, architects Moorse Webb, NATS, the Oceanography Centre, and guests from the Armed Forces. Pupils engaged directly with business professionals and the event offered opportunities for them to network and gain advice from those currently working in industry.
A standout feature of this year's Futures Fair was the strong presence of Old Edwardians among both the panel speakers and the exhibitors. Former pupils shared their expertise, reflecting the school’s ongoing relationship with its alumni and their commitment to supporting the next generation of King Edward students.
Delegates from attending businesses responded very positively, praising the engagement of pupils throughout the morning. One attendee commented that the Futures Fair was “well organised and very enjoyable,” while another said, “Really enjoyed the event, well organised and felt very welcome in the school.”
Several delegates highlighted the quality of interaction with pupils, noting that “King Edward students were very engaging and asked great questions.” Another company stated that “the Futures Fair was very rewarding, not just for the students, but for me as a company representative.”
The Futures Fair forms an important part of King Edward VI School’s wider programme of careers education, helping pupils to broaden their understanding of future opportunities and make informed choices about their next steps.
Thank you to the delegates that participated and former pupils who came along and made the day such a success.
We are so pleased that both students and delegates had such a rewarding day and we hope next year's event proves even better.
If you'd like your child to be part of experiences like this, we would love to see you at our Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 26 June. Click here to register your interest.
