Plantsbrook School students considering life at university had a boost this week – when the school hosted its first in-person Higher Education Fair since the pandemic began.

Representatives from nine universities visited the school in Upper Holland Road on Tuesday, July 6 to talk to Year 10 and Year 12 students.

Sixth Form careers adviser Pauline Knowles said: “This is the school’s first fair of this type since the pandemic began – so we have been incredibly careful with it, limiting the number of universities invited and controlling the flow of students to a maximum of 30 students in the room at any one time, to ensure social distancing.

“It has been brilliant to have a physical fair again, because the last year has been so disruptive for students who are going from secondary schools into higher education.

“We really wanted the students to have the opportunity to speak face-to-face with someone from a university – after all, it’s an important part of the experience of choosing the right course and the right place to study.

“There are lots of virtual fairs, and students these days are good at engaging online, but ultimately it’s not like the real world, and there is no substitute for the students coming to a table and speaking to someone in person.”

Universities from Nottingham, Hertfordshire, Birmingham, Cardiff, Northampton and Leicester set up shop in the school’s auditorium to talk to the students.

James Rowland, of Nottingham Trent University, said: “This is my first fair back after the pandemic and it is really nice to get out and actually talk to students in person about university life and about what we offer.”

Headteacher Jason Farr said: “We wanted to hold a proper in-person High Education Fair at Plantsbrook this year, and I’m very proud of the team for the way that they pulled it together and made it happen, working safely within the guidelines.

“I’d also like to thank all of the universities who came along to make it such a success.”

Pictured: Students Ali Allison, Natalie Cooper, Eve Shepperson and Shiloh Parkes with Nottingham Trent University’s James Rowland and Plantsbrook careers advisor Pauline Knowles