PUPILS were overjoyed as the BBC visited different Basingstoke schools as part of a country-wide project to inspire young people to achieve their career goals. 

The BBC's Career Schools Tour, made its way to the borough on the week of January 16 where their education team visited three secondary schools - The Costello School, Bishop Challoner Catholic School and Robert May's School. 

These visits aimed to help inform young people about the potential career opportunities that exist on their doorstep.

Students had the opportunity to hear from media experts such as Genevieve Touzin from Face TV, Ellie Ball who is a features journalist and Alex West from BBC Introducing on BBC Radio Berkshire. 

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The journalists met and spoke with more than 750 students each day across the different schools and held three to four assembly-style sessions with each year group.

A spokesperson for The Costello School expressed they were delighted to welcome the BBC team into their school on January 18. 

They added: "Throughout the day students from years 7 to 10 listened to the panellists' stories of how they started their careers in the media and truly captivated many students' attention. 

"They had the opportunity to question the panellists who were fantastic and really inspiring. This was a wonderful experience for our students and we are very grateful to the BBC for visiting us."

Basingstoke Gazette: School children gathered as journalists from the BBC visited The Costello School.School children gathered as journalists from the BBC visited The Costello School. (Image: The Costello School)

Over the next 15 weeks, the BBC will deliver more than 2,000 face-to-face storytelling and careers sessions in 700 school visits.

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Aidan Peake, head of careers at Robert Mays School, added: "The whole of year 8 and year 9 came to see the sessions and the students were buzzing afterwards. It is really important for students to see local career avenues to broaden their horizons and spark an interest."

This project comes as a survey by the BBC revealed that more than seven out of 10 12 to 18-year-olds would like more advice and support to help them decide on the next steps towards their future career.

Sixty per cent of those surveyed felt positive, and 65 per cent felt confident about their future, although 42 per cent believed that the careers support they received from their school or college had reduced since the coronavirus pandemic.