The Mayor of London and Harrow West MP were among those in a virtual careers fair to hundreds of pupils.

Rooks Heath School teamed up with MP Gareth Thomas to continue the annual Harrow careers fair through a virtual manner due to current Covid-19 restrictions.

While it is traditionally held in a large school hall gathering, the virtual event on Monday (January 11) welcomed hundreds of Harrow students and parents to discuss career paths.

It featured keynote speeches from Sadiq Khan, local entrepreneur Alex Mitchell, Mr Thomas and Rooks Heath headteacher Miriam Manderson.

And students tuning in were able to engage with companies including Heathrow Airport, Headstone Manor Museum and Thames Water.

Considering the disruption caused by the pandemic, the online workshops and work experience support would have provided vital elements in progressing their career.

Mr Thomas said: “I sent a call out over the Summer and spoke with a number of businesses and local workers to see if they would participate virtually. All the fee-paying schools in Harrow and across the UK have their own careers fairs organised internally, but there has been a vacuum for careers fairs being organised for local state schools and I really wanted to make sure we could even out the playing field again.”

Talking on the collaboration, Ms Manderson said: “We know how important it is to plant a seed and watch it grow. Young people all over Harrow will be able to sow the seeds planted from this exciting event which opens their minds to the world of work which is changing rapidly due to world events. It is at such significant a time as this I feel proud that Rooks Heath is able to offer a view of hope and positivity for the future not only for our students at Rooks Heath school but for all young people in Harrow.”

Rooks Heath school will host the Careers Fair on its website for the remainder of the month. To view it visit: https://www.rooksheath.harrow.sch.uk/page/?title=Careers+Fair&pid=604