A powerful business community think-tank is pressing for the establishment of an international school to bring global high-fliers to the Midlands.

The idea is to set up a facility which would offer students a world recognised international baccalaureate after their studies in the region.

One of the key men behind the scheme is John Phillips, regional director of the Institute of Directors.

He said: "We are trying to attract high earning executives - people who are really able to create wealth for the region."

The initiative has been formulated by the One Voice group, which comprises of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI), the CBI, IOD, Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) and Birmingham Forward.

They are set to meet representatives of regional development agency Advantage West Midlands this week in a bid to to hammer out the way forward.

Mr Phillips said international school would encourage inward investment.

The plan was to find public and private funding for the initiative and leading companies were already expressing an interest.

He said: "We have already had consultations with interested parties and representative educationalists and an initial panel of subject experts is being assembled."

Mr Phillips pointed to BMW at Hams Hall near Birmingham as an international business which could benefit from the scheme.

The company, he said, has a policy of nurturing its young executives and posting them around the world as part of their development.

He said: "Many will be in there early thirties and be bringing up a family.

"When children get to the age of 11 parents start to look for schooling which will provide qualifications which are recognised across the world.

"This plays a huge part in whether companies want to locate their key offices in the city and region. An international school could play a big part in them making that decision."

Kasia Kurowska, a member of the BCI policy team who is working on the project, said: "The lack of a truly international-class school in this region represents an enormous gap when we are trying to attract foreign investors."

The group aims to discuss possible locations with Advantage West Midlands.

Ian Brough, chief executive of Black Country Chamber, said: "We would be delighted if the new school was located in Birmingham."

Richard Brennan, representing lobby group Birmingham Forward, called on the business community to get behind the idea "which is vital for Birmingham's growing international reputation".

And Peter O'Grady, of EEF, said a new-build project or the conversion of existing premises would be acceptable

Jerry Blackett, policy director at the BCI and chairman of the One Voice group, said: "It is important to press ahead with this project and we must get an indication of the sort of funding or fund-in-kind that organisations and private companies are prepared to contribute."

The group is due to meet with Advantage West Midlands on Thursday.

An AWM spokesman said: "This is a very early stage discussion. It's an interesting concept and we look forward to hearing what the group has to say."