From the moment students walk through the door at a WMG Academy, they are offered a career-led education involving work placements, interactive industry activities and visits to businesses.
The specialist technical college, which has a campus in Coventry and Solihull, is for those aged 14-19 who want to take their science, technology, engineering and maths studies to the next level.
Industry led, with incredible modern facilities found in real workplaces, it is also partnered with real employer partners like Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Bosch and the National Grid and partnered with the University of Warwick.
The curriculum is supported by more than 25 businesses and students all have the opportunity to work with real businesses and be exposed to work placements, business visits and project work.
It has an ethos of ‘business-like, business-led’ which has been praised by Ofsted, which rated it good. “WMG has created a school in which the ethos prevails and pupils benefit from many opportunities to engage with prestigious employers.
“Pupils display a business-like attitude, dress smartly, behave appropriately and work hard. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next steps.”
The academy was set up by The late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya to address a vocational skills gap in the West Midlands that he identified.
When setting up the school he said: “We have some of the best companies and supply chains in our local area, and they all desperately need new talent and skills to help them grow. That is why the WMG Academy for Young Engineers is so important.”
Located close to the Westwood area and the University of Warwick, the Coventry academy opened in 2014 and boasts a large engineering hall filled with more than £1 million worth of specialist equipment.
Three additional dedicated computer-aided areas allow industry standard software to be used by students in their engineering projects. Students also have access to Warwick University resources.
Students at the Coventry Academy, which follows an 8.30am to 4.30pm timetable., come from a wide catchment area which includes Solihull through to Kenilworth, Warwick and Rugby.
The Solihull campus opened two years later near the Chelmsley Wood shopping centre, and has more than 400 students enjoying access to specialist equipment and ICT. It attracts students from Birmingham, Solihull and North Warwickshire.
If a student is passionate about a career in stem-based subjects then the WMG Academy has a great record of getting its students into university, apprenticeships or work.
In fact double the number of students leaving WMG at 18 go on to stem-based university courses than the national average - 84% compared to 42% and triple the number of students leaving WMG at 18 secure apprenticeships at higher or degree level - 63% compared to 26%.
Both academies have a sixth form with WMG Academy Coventry consistently at the top of the post-16 performance tables for the city.
Connor Evans is in Year 10. He said: “My favourite subject is engineering, which is why I chose to come here. The facilities in the academy are second to none, especially the workshop and its vast machinery and equipment.
“The Academy certainly offers me a better quality of education. I was even invited to an ESports competition at Warwick University which was an amazing experience.”
A spokesman for CPW (Couch Perry Wilkes), which has recently taken on five design engineer apprentices from the Solihull Academy, said: “It’s great to see that the academy really encourages strong connections to industry, helping to bridge the skills gap in the sector for employers as well as ensuring their learners are well prepared for the working world through regular careers fairs and employer talks.”
Students also have the chance to take part in a range of enrichment activities such as football, F1 in schools, GreenPower and engineering clubs, including the Royal Navy Engineering Challenge and the European Space Agency’s CanSat project and access to high quality career advice.
The overall vision of the academy is to raise learners aspirations, provide a professional ethos and culture to ensure learners will be in demand from employers. Visit the WMG Academy website to find out more about what it can offer.
