Students from West Herts College enjoyed an inspiring behind‑the‑scenes experience at Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree earlier this month, coinciding with a visit from Watford MP Matt Turmaine. The visit took place on Friday 6 February, giving students a unique opportunity to explore one of the UK’s most significant new media production sites.
Sky Studios Elstree, which opened in 2023, is set to generate an estimated £3 billion in production investment and create 2,000 jobs within its first five years. Since March 2024, the Sky Up Academy Studios experience has welcomed more than 11,000 young people, including pupils from nearby schools such as Beechfield, Westfield Academy and Futures Academy.
During the visit, Mr Turmaine was given a tour of the site by Anna Hatfield, Head of Public Affairs, and Policy Executive Ajay Mahil. Meanwhile, twenty‑two students from West Herts College took part in the Sky Up Academy Studios experience, gaining hands‑on practical skills in producing news reports, film trailers and pitches using industry‑standard equipment.
“It is a very impressive set‑up. I learned a lot and I’m sure the students who were coincidentally there at the same time I was did too,” said Matt Turmaine, who was shown a deck of cards, which were presented to the students, similar to Top Trumps, which detail all the many jobs available in the film and TV‑making industry.
Kathryn Harrold, Employer Liaison Manager at West Herts College said:
“It was fantastic to see our students so inspired during their visit to Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree. Opportunities like this give them a real insight into the breadth of careers available in the industry, while also allowing them to see first-hand the professional, industry-standard facilities and equipment used at one of the UK’s leading media organisations. Experiences like these are invaluable in helping our students connect their studies to real career pathways and feel confident about their next steps."
Sky Studios Elstree has already hosted major global productions including Wicked, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Wuthering Heights “and even Paddington in Peru,” noted Mr Turmaine. The studio will also be home to the upcoming live‑action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon 2, due for release next June.
The visit offered students an invaluable opportunity to see first‑hand the scale and ambition of the creative industries on their doorstep, while gaining practical experience in a world‑leading studio environment.