Pupils raring to get started at a new style school which opens today have received good wishes from a member of the royal family.

The Duke of York sent a tweet to the new cohort of pupils at University Technology Colleges.

He said: “There are eleven @UTColleges opening this week. Good luck to everyone on their first days and for the rest of the school year!”

The Duke works to promote economic growth and skilled job creation in the United Kingdom.

The new UTC, which is the first of its kind in Medway, will specialise in construction and engineering and officially opens its doors to the first pupils today.

The £11.4 million government-funded college for 14 to 18-year-olds has a fresh outlook on education.

Run like a business, pupils wear smart dress but not uniforms and are in school for longer but leave without homework.

Partnerships with influential companies like BAE Systems also mean pupils will get a hands-on approach to construction and engineering and have the chance of work experience as well as complete their standard GCSE and A-level qualifications.

Speaking before the grand opening, principal Dr Karon Buck said: “I can’t wait now. I’ve been in post for a year and spent most of the year watching a muddy field turn into a fantastic building.”

Also opening today is the new Asda store just next door. The 73,000sq ft supermarket forms part of the enormous Chatham Waters development and will also open its doors for the first time at 10am.

The petrol station has been in business for a couple of weeks and immediately under-cut the rest of Medway’s stations on the price of both unleaded and diesel.

The shop, which will open 24 hours, will have George clothing, an optician, a fish counter and a create your own pizza counter.