Sir Philip Green's new Retail Academy will encourage excellence

It will offer diplomas in fashion retail equivalent to A-Levels. The new building close to Oxford Circus opens its doors in September.

Breakfast's Business reporter Susannah Streeter spoke exclusively to Sir Philip and had a look behind the scenes. You can see her report and interview with Sir Philip Green again here later this morning.

Around 200 students will attend the academy, aged 16 to 18. They will be trained in "every aspect" of retail and get to meet some of the top people in the industry, said Sir Philip.

The curriculum will be aimed at youngsters who do not want to go to university. Sir Philip left school at 15 to go into the rag trade. He is estimated to be worth around �4 billion.

Students will receive tuition in many aspects of retail including design, technology, IT, marketing, visual merchandising and buying and will be encouraged and helped to take part-time work within the sector.