A head has been appointed for Medway’s first university technical college.

Dr Karon Buck will take up her post at Medway UTC in September, ahead of the school opening in September 2015.

The school, pupils aged 14 and 19, will specialise in construction and engineering, and will be located in a new building on the Chatham Waters development at Chatham Docks.

Dr Buck has been vice principal at two academies in Kent; Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy and The Leigh Technology Academy in Dartford.

Paul Charman, chair of governors and manager of the technical centre at Delphi Diesel Systems in Gillingham, said: “After an extensive search, the governors are delighted to have appointed someone of the calibre of Karon to this very important role.

“Karon has a long and successful association with the University of Greenwich where she studied chemistry at undergraduate and PhD level, as well as an extensive and successful career within secondary education.

"I feel that this mix along with seven years running her own business, make Karon an ideal principal to lead the UTC.

“Karon’s experience and success in other academy schools will also be an advantage in the process of establishing the UTC, she knows what success looks like and that will be a significant to the complete team at the UTC.”

Dr Buck said: “I am delighted to be appointed as principal of Medway UTC. The UTC will provide opportunities for 14-19 year old students, from Medway and the surrounding regions, to study and work with the very best engineering and construction professionals, while studying for their GCSEs, A-levels and equivalent qualifications.

“I will be working tirelessly to ensure that Medway UTC provides the very best education and life-chances for our young people.”

Karon officially takes up her new role in September and will spend her first year preparing for UTC to open its doors to the first intake of students in September 2015. She will be overseeing the construction of the new building at Chatham Waters, working with business partners on the design of the curriculum and recruiting staff and students.

Medway UTC is sponsored by the University of Greenwich, MidKent College, BAE Systems and Medway Council.