STUDENTS flocked to the annual careers fair at Cressing Temple Barns.

Over 800 year eleven pupils from Alec Hunter Academy, Tabor Academy, Notley High School and Hedingham School descended on the popular tourist attraction to meet employers, universities and colleges.

The careers fair is a joint enterprise between the schools and independent careers advice company Directions IAG Limited.

Lynne Pembroke, careers adviser for Directions IAG Limited, said: “We go into schools and ask pupils what they want to go into and show them all the options available to them.

“There is a big proportion who will not have any idea what they want to do so we have tried to make sure there are a very diverse range of exhibitors that they maybe have not come across before.”

As well as representatives from education institutions such as Colchester Sixth Form and the University of Essex, employers such as McDonalds and the FSE Foundary who are based in Witham, also came along to provide advice to students.

Chris Jakens, assistant headteacher at Tabor Academy, said: “This is a really exciting event for us as it is the first opportunity we have had to promote the new sixth form.

“For the students it is great as it gives them a really wide range of options for after 16.”

Clare Pipe, work related learning coordinator at Alec Hunter Academy, said: “There is no other choice in this area for students like this.

“It is really to give them a chance to see what is out there so when they have left school they can raise their aspirations.”

Laura Hardison Taylor, head girl at Alec Hunter Academy, said: “I know I want to continue with education and I am not sure with what subject yet.

“I think the event gives you an idea of what kind of options are out there and this opens it up, you can see the career opportunities for someone who does not have that idea already.”