The Academy is one of the first schools in the country to specialise in digital media and will produce generations of school leavers with an understanding of, and an interest in, the Communications and Content industries. It is part of the Leigh Academies Trust.
The Stationers’ Digital Media Centre is the result of an enormous amount of hard work and collaboration between a number of parties including the school, the Stationers’ Company, and Leigh Academies Trust.
Financial support for the centre has come from the Stationers’ Foundation, which launched an appeal bringing in contributions from members of the Company and from Leigh Academies Trust.
At the event, Kevin Dewey, Chair of Governors and a Past Master of the Stationers’ Company commented on the Company’s contribution by saying “the money we have raised to pay for this wonderful facility today has come from ordinary men and women from our livery company.”
The centre was planned and kitted out with furniture and equipment supplied at a discount thanks to Liveryman Tim Crabtree of Abbotts Office Solutions, who will be celebrating their centenary next year, Corporate Member Simon Drakeford of Office Power and Chris Riley of Verco Office Furniture.
Mike James, a Court Assistant of the Stationers’ Company, commented at the time of delivery, “this collaboration is a great example of how our Livery Company with its 600 year-old history is still important to its trades and how, by working together, we can support all the trades and the charitable aims of the Company”.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the afternoon, says the Stationers’ Company, was the opportunity to see students using their state-of-the art equipment to work on film, audio, journalism, broadcasting and other digital projects.
David Millar, Executive Principal of the Academy said: “The Stationers' Digital Media Centre will enable students to learn new skills to become business leaders of the future, giving them the edge in the highly competitive jobs market.”