Next week will mark lights, camera and action for a cutting edge school.

Elstree University Technology College will welcome its first cohort of students next Wednesday.

Built on the site of the former MGM studios in Studio Way in Borehamwood, it will specialise in vocational education for film, television and the creative arts.

Members of staff moved into the brand new premises today and the finishing touches have just been put in place.

The school’s vice principal Chris Mitchell, 34, is “extremely excited” about beginning the college’s first term.

He said: “Elstree UTC is fantastic. It really is state of the art.

"The building is spectacular; it’s all glass and open plan and flooded with light. It looks very professional.

“We had the letters saying Elstree UTC lowered into place yesterday, our very own Hollywood sign.

“It’s really brilliant.”

The school offers the core curriculum of English, maths and science for GCSE and A-Levels and will initially admit Year 10 and Year 12 students.

It will also teach students the technical skills, trades, crafts and technologies that support the entertainment, film, television, theatre, visual arts and digital communication industries.

Taking advantage of close links with Elstree Studios and the BBC, the college will enable students to work closely with industry professionals to produce their own media projects.

Mr Mitchell added: “Our students will have outstanding exam results.

"They will also leave here with an outstanding portfolio and unrivalled contact book to make them ready for employment in the creative industries.”

The media artist was previously head of media studies at Hornsey School for Girls in Haringey and was in charge of literacy at Nightingale Academy in Edmonton.

He said: “For many years I have been teaching students about producing professional quality work, but because we lacked the technology to realise that, it was always more in theory then in practice.

“At Elstree UTC we have that technology.”

Mr Mitchell said the past few months dealing with contractors and sub contractors as the building work was completed had been “stressful”.

He added: “I can’t wait to get back to my real job.

"I’m looking forward to making sure our students make excellent progress, inspiring them to produce great work and enabling them to pass exams.”

The vice principle said he had been impressed by the calibre of the students who had applied to the college.

He added: “It’s been really exciting meeting some of the students at interview, many of whom have their own internet media businesses or have been making films.

“The young people are extremely keen and excited to be here so they will excel.”