Work has started on building a second WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Chelmsley Wood, Solihull. Scheduled for completion in July 2016, the new academy is currently taking applications for the first cohort of students to start in September 2016.

Following the successful opening of the first WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Coventry in 2014, they are continuing to revolutionise 14 -19 education by opening a second Academy in Chelmsley Wood. Sponsored by WMG, the University of Warwick and with a range of business partners, the Academy will inspire over 600 learners who will have the opportunity to access unrivalled industry standard resources, expertise and digital technologies.

The new Academy will provide a different approach to education through an ethos which mirrors the world of work through a ‘business like, business led’ approach, underpinned with an impressive array of business partners at local, national and international scales.

The Academy offers the same GCSE core curriculum subjects as other schools and academies but extends the range to include specialist qualifications in Engineering plus option subjects such as modern foreign languages, to access the highly regarded EBAC qualification. Flexible pathways at Post 16 (A-Level) will signpost to university courses or quality apprenticeships.

Companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, CDS, Prodrive, and Arup will work alongside Academy staff to deliver a stimulating engineering curriculum which combines teamwork, problem-solving and creativity by using real life industry examples as assignments.

Building has already started on the state of the art site on Chelmsley Road in the north of the borough. As well as industry standard CAD suites, a main focal point of the new Academy will be the Engineering Hall, equipped with over half a million pounds worth of specialist equipment, to ensure student’s academic knowledge is complimented with the practical and technical skills needed to meet the demands of their future careers and the fast changing employment markets of tomorrow.

Associate Principal Stewart Tait, WMG Academy in Solihull 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. These open days 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.”

Open days take place on Saturday 19 September at the North Solihull Leisure Centre, 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm and on 10 October. Associate Principal, Stewart Tait, will be available to answer questions and members of the first student cohort from the Academy in Coventry will be on-hand to share first-hand views of what it’s really like to be a young engineer.

Register your attendance at:

http://www.wmgacademysolihull.org.uk/2016-autumn-term-taster-days/

NB If you are attending and require any special arrangements to be made on account of a disability or other health-related condition, please call 02476 464 661.

Alex Buxton
Communications Manager
Tel: 02476 150423
Mob: 07876 218166
a.buxton.1@warwick.ac.uk