Royal opening for Hackney University Technical College

His Royal Highness The Duke of York has officially opened London’s first University Technical College (UTC), in Shoreditch.

Prince Andrew met the head boy Khi Alexis and head girl Fatmata Cole, unveiled a plaque and inspected the facilities during his visit last week to the school in Kingsland Road, not far from Old Street’s Silicon Roundabout.

Designed for pupils aged 14 years and above, the UTC specialises in health and digital technologies, identified as two of London’s growth industries, alongside a GCSE curriculum.

In a speech to students, Prince Andrew said: “I hope that you will take up the challenge offered to you. If you aspire to achieve, then this is the establishment that’s going to help you to achieve your ambitions.”

The Principal of Hackney UTC Annie Blackmore, said: “Our students and staff are already immensely proud of our new school and what we are here to achieve.

“For the students to meet and have the opportunity to talk to His Royal Highness is incredibly inspirational.”