Peter Jones Enterprise Academy
Peter Jones Enterprise Academy | |
---|---|
Location | |
England | |
Information | |
Type | Non-profit Organisation |
Motto | 'Bringing the boardroom to the classroom' |
Founder | Peter Jones |
Website | http://www.thenea.org |
The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy is educational establishment, currently with two locations in the UK; one based in Manchester and Buckinghamshire. The Academy was founded by Peter Jones in 2008 and it's 'Pathfinder' course began January 2009 in Buckinghamshire; with a total of 28 specially selected students enrolling in the trial course. the academy has been set up with the goal of bringing the boardroom into the class room, making learning about business a more practical experience. During the courses students are taught about business by real business people. During the pathfinder Peter Jones taught on several occasions giving advice and tips on running a multi-million pound business empire, as well as many other heads of businesses.
In September 2009, the establishment began its first official year of operation in both Buckinghamshire and Manchester.
Campus Locations
The Manchester campus is situated just outside of the city centre, and is connected with The Manchester College, whilst the Amersham campus is situated in Buckinghamshire] and connected with Amersham and Wycombe College.
There are two courses on offer to students, either the level 2 or level 3 which are two years or one year respectively but there is now a fast track course where people can join the level two course for a 6 month period
Peter Jones is the founder but does not assist with the day to day running and is only present at the graduation ceremony.
Controversy
It was speculated in June 2011 that the academy had been mismanaging the £9 million of taxpayers money after the CEO Tom Bewick, whom had quit after only a week in the position, claimed the academy was missing fundamental targets and in serious financial difficulties. A report obtained by the Mail on Sunday, commissioned by Mr Bewick and sent to Mr Cable, claimed the academy was on the brink of running out of money as a result of financial mismanagement by Mr Jones and his fellow trustees.
The report, and Mr Bewick’s letter of resignation, claimed that the spending of millions of pounds of public funds on the project is ‘hard to justify’ as it has ‘seriously under-performed’ in comparison with the amount of money invested in it. The report also claimed the academy is in danger of running out of money as early as next month and that only 260 students have graduated from the academy so far, just under ten per cent of the predicted total.
He called for a full investigation by Parliament or the public spending watchdog, the National Audit Office. Mr Jones has denied the allegations.