Students at a Kingsteignton school have been urged to reach for the stars when considering their future career prospects.
Teign School's car park was cleared of Vauxhall Astras and Toyota Starlets on Thursday last week to make way for an 11-metre Skybolt rocket, brought to Kingsteignton courtesy of the Cheshire-based Starchaser team. The rocket, poised for take-off on its elevating frame, attracted a crowd of students as it took centre stage in the school's second annual specialist careers fair.
It was accompanied by the Starchaser team of Chris Adlington and Vicki Agnew, who work as part of the Space4Schools educational programme which promotes science, engineering and technology. They presented three shows to students from years seven to nine and ran a rocket factory workshop for pupils from the school's feeder primary schools.
'Great fun was had by all,' said school spokesman Jackie Burl. The main careers fair was held in the evening and attracted more than 650 students and their parents.
It was opened by Dr Peter White and Frank Hamer, from the University of Plymouth. 'The evening was about raising students' awareness of the range of careers available using sciences, mathematics, ICT and technology,' said Vanessa New, the school's assistant headteacher and director of specialist status.
'The representatives from more than 40 professions, higher education establishments and the world of industry both enthused and inspired the students and their parents who attended the evening.'
The school's main sponsors, WBB Minerals and Astra Zeneca, both supported the event, an act for which Miss New said she was grateful.