The new Leigh University Technical College has opened its doors this morning to welcome its students to a new way of learning.

It is still not quite finished, but enough had been done to welcome the first 150-strong cohort of Year 10 and Year 12 students in time for the start of term.

The college, in the Bridge business park in Dartford, is kitted out with some of the latest gadgets in computer sciences and engineering.

Every child is allowed to wear their own clothes, which is to be business attire, and they are each given an iPad Mini for their work.

The college is still teaching English, maths and science but turning the theory into practical use - such as in their first week when they were asked to build their own robots.

Leigh UTC principal Steve Leahey said: "It's an impressive facility. The idea being is that students will work on projects designed by the companies who sponsor the college.

"For instance, if Eurostar have some issues with their trains, the students have six weeks to build, design something and then go into the boardroom and present it.

"If Eurostar have some issues with their trains, the students have six weeks to build, design something and then go into the boardroom and present it..." - Leigh UTC principal Steve Leahey

"Another is Photon Energy. They have issues fixing solar panels to roofs and they want students to help them design something and that's exciting as potentially something could go into production."

In total there are 25 sponsors including BT, Cisco, Kenard Engineering and Caterham Cars.

To start with, there are just 150 students and this will be built up over the years.

Mr Leahey added: "Our goal is to work collaboratively between departments. The maths teacher will work with the engineering teacher and it'll bring the two different aspects of the same area together. There are no departments as such, we all work as one."

He added: "I'm very excited for today. The students have had time to acclimatise and they've been blown away by the scale of it, from the resources we have to the technology we have on display.

"It's been a real eye-opener for them and it's an opportunity to look at training, getting jobs and going to university.

"The doors are open for the local business community to come in and talk about their business options and getting 14 to 19-year-olds into further education and training."