Folkestone College is bringing the boardroom to the classroom as it launches its new Peter Jones Enterprise Academy (PJEA).

The new business-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to achieve a Level 3 BTEC qualification, helping to develop the next generation of business leaders.

As part of their initial studies at the PJEA, students led the launch of the new course, planning and delivering the event, and hosting a number of key local employers as well as strategic partners such as Folkestone and Hythe District Council.

Principal of Folkestone College, Victoria Copp-Crawley, said: “Even in the first four weeks of term they’ve developed real business skills, project managing the entire event as well as ensuring they remain on track with their budget. These are real skills which will set them in good stead when they progress from the new PJEA.”

The event saw Cllr Richard Wallace, deputy mayor of Folkestone, speak to the audience, highlighting the benefits of the new curriculum.

Graeme Tidd from the PJEA said: “Ensuring we’re inspiring and educating the next generation of business leaders is core to our principles, and will help to keep Folkestone and Hythe district growing into the future.”

One of the students who helped to organise the event was Chelsey Spearing who joined after deciding she wanted to develop the skills needed for a future career in business.

She said: “It’s already been an amazing experience, and really is so different to being at school. I find it much easier to learn by actually doing something, and already have a far deeper knowledge of business processes like market research, as well as having grown core skills such as problem solving and teamwork."

The academy was first launched in 2008 by Dragons' Den entrepreneur Peter Jones.