The first intake of students at Aylesbury’s new £10million college have completed their first term.
The University Technical College (UTC) facility in Oxford Road, Aylesbury, offers 14-19 year-olds the opportunity to study technically-oriented courses in construction or IT.
Jack Leigh, 14, is in year 10 studying construction. He said: “I have learned so much already. The course is really enjoyable - I love maths and sciences, the teachers are great, more like friends.”
Shola St John-Forbes, age 14, is a year 10 student in IT. Shola said: “It is really fun and I have made a lot of friends and become more confident. I enjoy being around computers and the staff are all really supportive and encouraging. There is a large focus on the careers we want to pursue and the work is much more advanced than school”.
The college is supported by the private sector including lead sponsor Taylor Wimpey and IT giant Cisco.
Bev Flanagan, principal, said: “Aside from the usual curriculum programme, students have been outside the UTC building at a recruitment master-class with Morgan Hunt, to the Skills Show in Birmingham and London Fashion Retail Academy.
“Its been fantastic to see how they’ve all developed in just a few weeks and I’m looking forward to another action packed term.”