MORE than 30 firms joined forces with a Bournemouth secondary school chosen to run one of the country’s first Studio Schools.

Oakmead College of Technology will be the venue for the new North Bournemouth Learning and Achievement Foundation Studio School, one of just 12 chosen nationwide to offer a more vocational education to 14 to 19-year-olds.

Dozens of local firms have expressed an interest in providing work placements for the young people, including Winchelsea School, Wallisdown Heights Day Centre, Morgan Sindall, the Print Emporium and H&M Castlepoint.

Studio Schools have been set up in an attempt to reduce the number of NEETS – young people not in education, employment or training.

Students will work in an office-style environment and will spend between four hours and two days a week on placements with local businesses.

A pilot project has been running at Oakmead with around 70 youngsters involved in work placements.

Laura Millett, 18, has been working at H&M Castlepoint and Hannah Shields, also 18, at the Print Emporium in Kinson.

“This new school is a ground-breaking way to deliver education, combining mainstream qualifications with real experience of the world of work and the development of key employability skills,” said David Nicoll, chief executive of the Studio Schools Trust.

Executive head teacher Dr Annetta Minard said: “The school will open in September 2012 with brand new accommodation which is designed to reflect an office environment. This is in keeping with the focus on preparing young people for future employment, training and higher education.

“I believe the studio school will provide a dynamic link between learning and enterprise.”