A NEW £250,000 centre dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics has been unveiled at a school in New Milton.

The Design and Technology Centre at Durlston Court Preparatory School, on Becton Lane, was officially opened with the help of Professor Christine Maggs, Executive Dean at The Faculty of Science & Technology at Bournemouth University.

Inside the centre, students and staff will be able to make use of 3D printers, laser cutters and software that aims to help the young people to get to grips the STEM subjects.

Additionally, children will be able to make fabric components using the laser cutter to help with the textiles curriculum.

Faye Lawrence, head of design and technology at Durlston Court Preparatory School, said: "Durlston Court is committed to preparing pupils for their future and the new facility, with its emphasis on industrial process, will equip pupils for their future Design and Technology education at senior level.

"It is vital that we ensure our pupils are equipped to participate in the workforce in an era of rapid technological change. Our young people need to study science and technology for a brighter future."

The school aims to re-address the gender inbalance in STEM industries and hopes that the new building will encourage both boys and girls to pursue a career in the subject area.

Philip Greenish, the chief executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, recently wrote a letter in the Financial Times about the future of the STEM industry.

In it he said: "We need about 1.25m science, engineering and technology professionals and technicians by 2020, including a high proportion of engineers, to support the UK's economic recovery.

"However, the real problem lies predominately in the productive manufacturing and innovative technology businesses across the country that are struggling to recruit the stem talent they need. Indeed it is often the smaller companies that are experiencing the lack of stem skills more keenly, rather than the high-profile global institutions.

"Some of the larger engineering companies have recognised this issue and are taking action. BAE Systems is a great example as they purposely train more apprentices than they have vacancies for, in order to support STEM talent recruitment right across the supply chain."