Dallam School Careers Day 2026: Inspiring Futures, Building Confidence
On Wednesday 25 February, Dallam School proudly welcomed a wide range of employers, education providers and industry professionals into school for our annual KS4 Careers Day – a powerful event designed to prepare our students for their next steps and strengthen our partnerships with the local community.
The day was built around meaningful conversations, real-world insight and authentic preparation for life beyond school.
Year 11: Mock Interviews with Local Employers
During the morning, every Year 11 student took part in a 1-to-1 mock interview with an employer or education provider. This gave students the invaluable opportunity to practise professional communication, receive personalised feedback and reflect on their aspirations before making key post-16 decisions.
Employers consistently praised the maturity, preparation and ambition of our students.
Steve Kitchen from Maybea Media shared:
“It was a privilege to speak to the Year 11 students before they take their first and probably biggest step yet in their future direction.
It’s easy to form opinions from the news or general ‘chat’ about this particular age group; however, taking your own time to speak to them one to one was genuinely interesting and informative.
If you are invited to do this, do not see it as doing something for them, as you personally could well get more out of it than you think.”
Representatives from Kendal College, University of Cumbria, Lancaster and Morecambe College, the NHS, and the Civil Service worked alongside local businesses to provide detailed guidance on the full range of post-16 pathways available.
Chris from Kendal College commented:
“Having the opportunity to speak to the Dallam pupils about their opportunities post Year 11, and all of the progression pathways available to them was fantastic.
Thank you very much for having us over and we look forward to continuing the meaningful input and interactions with Dallam School students long into the future!”
Louise Simpson from Reed Recruitment added:
“The Year 11 students were a credit to the school – engaged, ambitious, and well informed about their future paths. It was a privilege to be part of their preparation for life beyond school.”
Colleagues from EDF Energy (Heysham Power Stations) were equally impressed:
“The students showed fantastic enthusiasm and professionalism, and we were pleased to play a part in helping them develop their confidence and career readiness.”
The quality of organisation was also highlighted, with employers noting the structure, preparation and the time available for meaningful discussion.
Year 10: Small-Group Q&A Sessions
In the afternoon, a number of employers stayed on to work with small groups of Year 10 students in focused Q&A sessions. These discussions explored career pathways, industry expectations, personal aspirations and the reality of different job roles.
Beth Fell from Gilpin Hotel & Lake House reflected:
“It was great speaking to the students and understanding a bit more about their personal interests and aspirations.
Having some of these informal, yet honest conversations early on helps them build the confidence they will need when applying for and interviewing for jobs out in the wider world.
You never know, one of them might just come knocking on your door – especially if you’re looking to recruit early on and ‘grow your own’.”
A credit to the school
Across the board, employers commented on our students’:
- Professionalism
- Confidence
- Preparation
- Ambition
- Willingness to engage
Hope Fogg from Kendal College summed up the mood perfectly:
“I was incredibly impressed by the professionalism, confidence and preparation shown by every student I met. Their thoughtful responses, positive attitude and genuine interest in developing their future pathways were a real credit to the school.”
Strengthening community partnerships
Careers Day is about far more than interviews. It is about:
- Connecting education with the world of work
- Broadening horizons
- Building aspiration
- Strengthening local partnerships
- Showcasing the character of our students
Events like this are incredibly important not only for our young people, but also for the wider community. They demonstrate the strength of collaboration between Dallam School and local employers, colleges and universities – working together to prepare the next generation.
We are enormously grateful to every organisation and professional who gave their time to support our students. Their commitment makes a lasting difference.
