More than 240 people attended Bourne End Academy’s inaugural World of Work Careers Expo on July 3.

National organisations such as the Royal Mail, the RAF, Universal Studios and the NHS all had representatives at the New Road school with there also being many local businesses in attendance.

Companies such as the creative design business Fluro in Bourne End, the FAB Football Academy in Marlow along with the Bucks New University and Henley College were also present showcasing their opportunities.

Karen Hayns MSc, the chairman and ambassadorial advisory group for the school told the Bucks Free Press: "We are absolutely delighted at how the expo has gone.

“It was an idea which was conceived three months ago as we thought it would be great to put something together, but not just for students and for their parents, but for the entire community.

“Initially, five of us from the ambassadorial group went to numerous businesses across Bourne End and beyond and this was the result.

“We’ve had 30 businesses who are either private or public, educational businesses, sports, music, creative, entertainment, the royal air force, the army and law.

“I’ve been blown away at how well it’s gone.”

One of the school’s specials guests of the expo was Robin Atkinson, who was recently named as the new chairman of the Marlow Town Regatta & Festival.

Mr Atkinson, who masterminded the re-opening of the Marlow Bridge, runs an engineering consulting business in Bourne End, and he believes it is vital for the next generation of young people to look at their prospects.

He told the Bucks Free Press: “It’s important that the young people of today get themselves to events like these because they can talk to the people who are doing the job they are interested in.

“If those people, like myself, are really interested in getting young people into their profession, they will help those people and will steer them into the right direction.

“I’m getting on in my profession and recently I was in Copenhagen talking about energy from waste treatment plants and I love it.

“When you go into engineering, like myself, or any other job, you’ve got to have passion and if you can transfer that passion to the younger people, then you’ll encourage them to join you.”

Mr Ryan Williams, Bourne End Academy's headteacher then added: “The new AAG who joined us in January have worked very hard to put the World of Work Careers Expo on and there was a real buzz about the event.

“Speakers have come in to do talks about numerous careers and I’m really impressed by the work produced by the AAG.”