CHART-TOPPING star Jessie J swapped the glitz and glamour of performing on stage for the classroom on a visit to Birmingham’s new £25 million fame academy.

Hundreds of screaming pupils greeted the singer’s arrival at the Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA), which opened to students earlier this month.

Modelled on the famous BRIT School in London, which helped launch the careers of Jessie and former classmates Leona Lewis and Adele, the school specialises in the digital media and the creative and performing arts.

***Watch the video of Jessie J's surprise visit to Birmingham's fame academy click here

Fresh from the first of her two sell-out dates at the O2 Academy, Jessie’s visit was kept a closely guarded secret from students before she was led on stage at the school’s theatre for a question and answer session with 300 pupils.

The 23-year-old, who wore a pair of skintight leggings and sported her trademark bob, said the visit was “overwhelming”.

She said: “It’s very weird to be five years ahead of where they are now.

“This is definitely the place to be. It’s brand new, the facilities are amazing. I might even try to record my second album here, it’s that good.”

The academy, which currently has 325 sixth formers on roll, boasts a 200-seat theatre, four dance studios, six rehearsal studios, an open-air amphitheatre and TV studio.

It is sponsored by education charity Ormiston Trust, Birmingham City University and is partnered with Maverick TV and the BRIT School.

Jessie’s visit coincided with the opening of a £100,000 recording studio at the academy, which was kitted out with funds donated by the BRIT Trust.