Students were put through their paces when local leaders paid a visit to their school. 

Community and business leaders spent a day at the Wey Valley School in Weymouth and grilled Year 11 pupils in a series of mock interviews to help prepare them for the world of work.

Students answered interview-style questions during the day, which was organised as part of the school’s ‘career development programme’.

At the event, 20 volunteers from local business and other community organisations met with 130 students on a carousel of interviews in the school’s Will Mackaness Hall.

Paul Norman, vice principal at the Wey Valley School said he was pleased with the day. 

“It has been a valuable experience for all of our Year 11 students at a time when they are starting to look at college, sixth form and apprenticeship places,” he said. 

Mr Norman added: “This popular annual event is always received well by our students and I would like to thank our community and business volunteers for their time with the mock interviews.”

Les Gardner, vice chairman of the school’s governors, was on the panel of interviewers. 

Mr Gardner commended the student body and said: “It was an inspiring day with so many students having a firm handle on their career paths.

There was some really great feedback from students who were also confident to ask many questions at the end of their interviews for improvement.”