THE first ever careers fair held at Wellington Academy in Tidworth on Monday was a resounding success, with 30 organisations setting up stalls to reveal more to students about what they can offer.

Students from several year groups attended the event to find out more about the world of work before they make difficult choices about options, higher education and careers.

The onus is now on schools to offer this type of advice.

OFSTED inspectors are expected to look at schools’ provision of careers advice in the future, following the withdrawal of the face-toface service formerly provided by the Connexions organisation.

Following that change, it will be up schools to provide careers advice and be assessed on their efforts.

Careers fair organiser Maria Hamblin, said: “It was a very useful exercise and one which we will be looking to repeat with more organisations next year.”

Among those represented at the event were Bath Spa University, Sodexo, Qinetiq, BT, Sparsholt and Andover College, Be Wiser – and the Andover Advertiser.

The academy now has more than 1,000 students on roll with a very active sixth form, and is the only state boarding school in Wiltshire.

It also has an active Combined Cadet Force squadron on site.

Many of the children’s parents are linked with the military.