Jim Wade

Hundreds of people from Staffordshire and Derbyshire had a sneak preview of the new GBP22 million (USD35.2 million) JCB Academy, designed to develop the engineers of the future.

The school that opens in September 2010 is located in the JCB-owned Tutbury Mill in Rocester, near the equipment manufacturer's Staffordshire headquarters. JCB contributed the mill and 10% of the academy's capital.

Parents interested in the academy were given half-hour guided tours of the facility and an insight into the hi-tech resources on offer. They were also treated to a show from the JCB Dancing Diggers team.

"The event gave everyone the opportunity to understand the unique educational experience, which the JCB Academy will provide," says Jim Wade, JCB Academy principal.

"Everyone who attended was particularly interested with the [restoration] work going on at Tutbury Mill and especially the amount of space that is going to be available to work in," Wade adds.

The state school, funded by the Department of Children, Schools and Families and sponsored by JCB, is open to students from years 10 to 13 with an interest in engineering, manufacturing and business.

At JCB Academy, students will study natural curriculum subjects but focus on engineering-related areas. Each term is based around an engineering challenge, allowing students to learn in a practical way. Besides JCB, the school has close ties with Rolls-Royce and Toyota so the students get to work on real engineering problems.

Students graduate with diplomas equivalent to Advanced Level Diplomas that are recognised as entry qualifications for major UK universities.