On Tuesday 7th November, students in Years 9 to 11 at Laurus Ryecroft had the opportunity to engage with industry professionals during the BBC’s nationwide schools tour, which aimed to inspire the students in their own ‘Life after Laurus’ plans.

The career related assemblies were delivered in panel interview style and hosted by Fee Mak, Radio 1Xtra’s Sunday morning breakfast show presenter. The panel included Ethan Lloyd, a freelance Camera Assistant, Emily Dawson Masterson, an Early Careers Production Apprentice, and Mohammed Amer Rafiq, Founder and Director of Archie’s fast-food chain. The panelists provided valuable insights into their respective industries and shared their own career journeys. This initiative is part of the BBC’s commitment to supporting young people and helping them explore different career pathways and the opportunities that are available to them.

Mr Booth, Head of Careers at Laurus Ryecroft, praised the panelists and the BBC staff for delivering such an engaging and valuable assembly, stating that:

“It was great to have the BBC involved today as part of our careers education programme. I think it was beneficial for our students to hear from our panelists about the trials and tribulations that they have all faced on their journey up to this point in their career and I’ve got no doubt that our students took a lot from the sessions. I was also really impressed with the quality of questions that came from our students during the Q+A session; these questions highlighted how many of our students are ‘unapologetically aspirational’ themselves!”

The Life After Laurus programme is delivered across all Laurus Trust schools, to enable students to have an equal entitlement to high quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance, that helps to prepare them for choices and transitions affecting their future education, training and employment.