New digital school looks to the future
A NEW city secondary school specialising in digital technologies is set to open in 2018 after Government approval.
The Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) will open its second school at Birmingham Eastside to cater for 900 young people looking to train in game design, media production and app development.
Its first school in Grosvenor Street, next to Millennium Point, opened five years ago and has seen 3,500 students pass through. It has the backing of Maverick Television and the BRIT School.
The BOA Digital will specialise in digital technology, a key sector for growth in the region and a target for investment in skills.
Principal Gaynor Cheshire said: “The past five years have consistently demonstrated the demand for specialist learning in the creative sector, both from students and industry.
“BOA has been oversubscribed year on year, and alongside those that go onto further education, 15 per cent of our students go straight into employment at 18, undertaking a diverse range of roles.
“I’m incredibly proud of their achievements, and our record exam results this summer are testament to the strength of our approach. The digital sector is the fastest growing in the UK, accounting for 1.56 million jobs and growing 2.8 times faster than the rest of the workforce.
“Our aim is to help bridge the skills gap and provide real opportunities for young people looking to secure a career in the digital industry.”
Jonnie Turpie, digital director at Maverick Television and founder trustee at BOA, said: “From web design and app development to online retail, game design, TV and radio production, Birmingham has forged a reputation as a leading digital city.
“It is a top-five employer of digital talent in the UK, with more than 130,000 jobs needing to be filled each year. It’s clear that to maintain this growth and keep our competitive advantage, Greater Birmingham needs to be developing and retaining the skills to drive our digital sector forward. BOA Digital will spearhead this talent generation.”