22/05/2026
Our Year 9 girls were invited to visit AtkinsRéalis in Epsom, where they gained a real-world insight into careers in engineering, design, sustainability and project management.
The day began with a warm welcome from Ellie, Harriet and Adam, who each shared their personal career journeys and explained how they came to work at AtkinsRéalis. Students then had the opportunity to hear from Michelle Baker, who spoke about her own career path and the many different directions it has taken. Michelle encouraged students to embrace opportunities, believe in themselves, stay determined, and lead with strong values.
Ellie then gave the group a tour of the impressive offices, explaining the importance of collaboration, networking, and flexible working within the company. Students also took part in a bridge-building challenge using only paper and tape — with the winning team successfully creating a bridge capable of holding more than 34 marbles!
The day continued with carousel sessions featuring a range of teams from across the business, before finishing with what many students described as the highlight of the visit, a speed networking session with more than 10 female professionals from across the company. Students had the chance to hear about careers in Building Design, Civil Engineering, Project Management, and many other roles, while asking questions about their experiences, challenges, and achievements.
A huge thank you to the team at AtkinsRéalis for hosting such an engaging and inspiring experience for our students. Visits like these help bring classroom learning to life and encourage the next generation of innovators, engineers, and future leaders.