One of the first students to join the WMG Academy for Young Engineers laid a final brick yesterday as part of the topping out ceremony for the new building.

Emily Rooney, who will join the Academy in Year 12, took part in the special ceremony to mark another milestone in construction.

The first cohort of Year 10 and Year 12 students will come through the doors in September. They will spend their induction week exploring the engineering and manufacturing facilities on offer at the University of Warwick, before starting classes in the new building on Mitchell Avenue.

Principal Kate Tague said:

The new WMG Academy for Young Engineers building has really exceeded all my expectations. It is an amazing facility, with innovative learning bases and some of the latest in design and manufacturing technology.

“We are particularly proud of the open workshop on the ground floor, which will allow students to follow the whole engineering process from computer-aided design through to manufacture.”

The new Academy covers 4,000 sq metres and has been built by Kier Construction.

As well as general and specialist teaching areas, a library and dedicated computer-aided design suite, there will also be hi-spec science learning bases and an exhibition space to promote the work of the Academy’s young engineers.

The main academy building will also be linked to a refurbished sports centre housing a four-court sports hall, with a modern café-style dining facility all at the neighbouring Westwood Academy.