Around 40 businesses descended on Stowmarket High School last week as part of a scheme to get young students thinking about future job opportunities.

The school’s new headteacher, Dave Lee Allen, is keen to engage with local businesses and bridge the gap between education and work.

On Friday students were given the chance to meet business men and women covering industries from building to the armed forces in a speed dating-style event.

Small groups were given a few minutes at a time to grill the business representatives and find out what they do, how to get into their industry and what qualifications they might need.

Deputy headteacher Alistair Ewen said the reorganisation of Suffolk’s schools from three-tier to two-tier was a good opportunity to involve students moving to the high school in September.

“We took the bit between our teeth, because of the new SOR it was a good opportunity to get them young,” he explained.

“We decided it would be really good to push the idea that there are loads of jobs out there, jobs that they’ve never heard of.

“It’s about opening their eyes and giving them the opportunities we haven’t been able to give to them before.

“Previously they may have no idea what they were aiming for in life.”

With so much information available it is hoped the pupils will find a few things which appeal to them have stuck in their minds, and these can then be followed up in class.

They may also use these ideas to influence what GCSEs they want to take when it comes to choose their options, and where to go on work experience in Year 10.

The event was also part of Suffolk Councty Council’s Raising the Bar.