Gap Fair Buzz

The annual Gap Fair, stage two of Repton's post-AS level orientation programme for Lower Sixth pupils, took place on Tuesday 14th June.This year's event had an extra gloss added by the keynote address being delivered in the magnificently refurbished 400 Hall, now the equal of any school theatre in the country.The greatly enhanced quality of the new audio-visual facilities overseen by theatre manager Guy Levesley and technician Tom Richards undoubtedly helped launch the evening very positively.

Addressing parents and pupils (including some from Derby High and Abbotsholme schools) David Gill of Gap year organisation "Changing Worlds" reviewed the pros and cons of taking a year off academic studies before going to university, and outlined the various options available - volunteering, travelling, learning a new skill, working in industry etc. He strongly stressed the importance to pupils of having something extra or distinctive to offer in the very competitive areas of university and job applications, and the potential for a carefully chosen Gap project to significantly enhance the impact of such applications.

Pupils and parents then had a range of well over two dozen stalls to browse through, laid out in the new 400 Hall foyer and studio theatre by the various organisations offering Gap year activities. This year's Fair was very well attended, with a palpable buzz of activity in the building, and pupils clearly considering their post-A level options very carefully.

The Repton Careers Department will be arranging further talks and presentations for sixth formers during the coming academic year - one on "The Year in Industry" and another by the Deloitte organisation - to cast further light on the types of opportunities available for those interested in a GAP year project.