A leading Conservative MP has hailed the new JCB Academy as a “wonderful” centre of learning, which will play a fundamental role in Britain’s engineering and manufacturing future.

Michael Gove, who is Shadow Secretary of State for Schools, Children and Families, also praised JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford’s visionary approach in developing the unique £22 million centre, which throws open its doors to students in September.

After touring the Academy – based at the renovated historic Grade II listed Tutbury Mill, close to JCB’s World Headquarters at Rocester – Mr Gove was quick to heap praise on what he had seen.

He said: “The JCB Academy is a wonderful achievement. I am a huge admirer of Sir Anthony Bamford and seeing his vision take shape in Rocester is incredibly exciting. His decision to take an historic building, which symbolises Britain’s role as the home of the first Industrial Revolution, and transform it into a centre of excellence for those who will shape the next technological revolution exemplifies the best in business leadership.

“We need a manufacturing renaissance in Britain. Our economy has to be built on more solid foundations. We need to invest in the engineers, scientists, technicians and business innovators of the future now if we’re to guarantee growth and opportunity in the future. Britain has to become a world leader in education and in industry again. JCB is a world-beating company and Sir Anthony has a global vision, which is why we’re so lucky he’s investing in our future so generously. .”

The Academy will welcome 120 Year 10 students (14-year-olds) who over two years will study for the new Diplomas in Engineering and Business as well as GCSEs in the core subjects of Maths, English, Sciences, a modern foreign language and ICT.

In addition 50 Year 12 Sixth Form students have been awarded places to study for Advanced Engineering and Advanced Business Diplomas. Eventually, the world-class learning facility, which is the only education provider of its kind in the UK, will cater for a maximum of 540 young people.

As well as classroom working with the most sophisticated IT and equipment, students will benefit from unrivalled hands-on experience with JCB’s blue chip Academy partners such as Rolls Royce, Toyota, Bombardier and Harper Adams University College as part of their exciting industry-orientated curriculum.

Like other state schools, the JCB Academy is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), but as main sponsor JCB contributed 10 per cent of the capital and donated Tutbury Mill.

JCB Academy Principal Jim Wade said: “It is important to get cross political party support for the JCB Academy as this is a new initiative and a new way of delivering education. I’m delighted with Michael Gove’s enthusiasm he was really impressed during his tour of the facilities and his comments about the Academy are very welcome.”

Caption Michael Gove, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Schools, Children and Families pictured (centre) with (from left ro right) JCB Academy Principal Jim Wade; JCB Academy Chair of Governors Paul Pritchard; Conservative Prospective Paliamentary Candidate for Burton Andrew Griffiths and JCB Academy Governor David Bell.