Work has begun on a long-awaited young engineering academy in the Midlands.
The WMG Academy for Young Engineers Solihull is being built in Chelmsley Wood and will offer young engineering courses for 640 students aged 14 to 19.
A sister Academy to in Coventry, it will initially take Year 10 and Year 12 students for its first intake when it opens in September 2016.
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Scheduled for completion in July 2016, the new academy is currently taking applications for the first cohort of students.
Sponsored by Warwick Manufacturing Group and the University of Warwick, the academy will give students the opportunity to access “unrivalled” industry standard resources, expertise and digital technologies.
It will offer the same GCSE core curriculum subjects as other schools, but extends the range to include specialist qualifications in engineering plus option subjects such as modern foreign languages so pupils can access the highly-regarded EBAC qualification. Post-16 qualifications will encourage students towards university courses or quality apprenticeships.
Companies , CDS, Prodrive, and Arup will work alongside the academy’s staff to provide the engineering curriculum which combines teamwork, problem-solving and creativity by using real life industry examples as assignments.
A main focal point of the new academy will be its engineering hall, equipped with over £500,000 worth of specialist equipment.
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Associate Principal Stewart Tait said: “I am delighted to be leading this new academy which will create hundreds of new opportunities for young engineers to learn from industry leaders, furthering the future of engineering in this country.
“We are running open days, which are an ideal opportunity for students and parents to get a real insight into the unique benefits of studying in a business led environment and the wide range of study options available.”
An open day will be held at Coventry Academy from 1.30pm – 4.30pm and on October 10. The address is WMG Academy for Young Engineers, Mitchell Avenue, Coventry, CV4 8DY