It was “dress up Friday” on 19th June, as Year 10 students came to school dressed for the workplace. Suits and smart jackets replaced blazers as they prepared for their two weeks’ work experience placements.

During the day, all the students sampled five activities, gaining an understanding of the world of work before they started with their employers. One of the most popular was the session on appearance and presenting yourself at work, when staff showed them the right and wrong ways to dress to impress. Miss Bussell turned up as every interviewer’s nightmare, with lots of jewellery and bright make up, and the wrong answer to every question - while Mrs Keast was the model applicant. It was a lighthearted way to make the point - and it prompted lots of questions and discussion amongst the students.

Another big part of the day was taking part in mock interviews, organised by Education Business Partnership. Advisers from local colleges, Connexions, training organisations and business gave up a day to spend time with students on a one-to-one basis, helping them through an interview process, advising them on their CVs and suggesting what an employer is looking for in an interview - not the perfect employee but someone who is keen to learn, adaptable and able to communicate.

People also need to co-operate in teams at work, so another of Industry Day’s activities is an enterprise challenge, with students working in teams to create and produce an item as if for a business. They also spent time working on their telephone technique and learning about health and safety. Good preparation is the key to success in most things - and work experience is no exception!

Mrs Taylor, who organised the day, said: “I’m very grateful to all the organisations and staff who helped make Industry Day such a useful and supportive event for our students. Going into a business for two weeks is a big step and Industry Day really helps the students get ready for the challenge ahead.”