Medway UTC, which received a damning Ofsted report earlier this year, has become Waterfront UTC after merging with an academy trust.

The change of name comes after the flagship multi-million pound specialist college was rated “inadequate” across the board.

In the first inspection since opening in September 2015, governors and leaders from the education and business sector were accused of failing in their responsibilities.

UTCs were set up as part of a national initiative to fill the skills gap between employers and school leavers.

Among the sponsors are BAE Systems, Delphi Systems, the Royal School of Military Engineering, University of Greenwich, MidKent College, Redrow Homes and Medway Council.

The new name was chosen following a consultation with students, governors, employers and The Howard Academy Trust.

Newly-appointed principal Paul Cootam, who previously worked for the trust, said: “This is part of our ongoing development which is proving very successful following our recently-published results that highlight the UTC’s significant improvement.

“The UTC is the most improved non-selective secondary school in Medway.

“We are delighted that the UTC is above both national and Medway average for its post-16 technical subjects including engineering and construction, our specialisms.

“All of our post-16 students study these subjects at level three giving them the best opportunity to further their careers in their chosen field.”

The UTC has been working with the trust since January, three months before the inspection.

Signs of improvement have emerged since then and new ideas have been introduced.

Other trust members include The Howard School, Deanwood Primary School, Temple Mill Primary School, Miers Court Primary School and Thames View Primary School all located within Medway.

If you want to find out more about Waterfront UTC, its open evening is on Thursday, November 29 at 6pm.

The official opening of Waterfront UTC will be performed by Lord Baker on Thursday, December 6.