A Maldon school brought together hundreds of students with a range of local employers last week, in its first in-person careers fair in two years due to the pandemic.

Plume Academy, on Fambridge Road, welcomed more than 50 organisations last Thursday (17 March) to provide detailed insight into educational and employment opportunities available to students in the Maldon district and beyond - from universities to local vets.

Ms Beth Meltzer, careers lead at Plume, said: "Throughout the evening, exhibitors could not praise Plume students enough, explaining that they had gone above and beyond in assisting exhibitors with their set up, welcoming them to the academy and supporting them throughout the evening.

"They were a credit to the academy."

The annual evening offers students from years seven to 13 the opportunity to meet employers from a variety of industries, education and training sectors and helps with identifying subject choices, finding work experience, applying for apprenticeships and learning about careers of interest.

Local organisations hosted by the school this year included Potters Resort Five Lakes, Maldon District Council and Edgewood Veterinary Group.

Among the higher education institutions who attended were Colchester Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science and the University of Oxford.

A spokesperson for Plume said: "The event created an excellent opportunity for our students and parents or carers to engage with our exhibitors and provide meaningful and insightful conversations about future employment, education, and training routes.

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"The atmosphere throughout was exceptional, with our guests being extremely grateful for this opportunity after such a long break due to the national pandemic.

"This was reflected in feedback collated which found that 99 per cent of our attendees described the event as 'very good' or 'excellent'."