The principal of Workington's newest school has hailed its first year as a resounding success. 

Gary Jones, head of Lillyhall's University Technical College, said the school has exceeded all expectations. 

Opened last September for year 10 and 12 pupils, it was one of only a handful of specialist technical colleges to be launched around the UK. 

With its new term set to start next month, the school will welcome 220 West Cumbrian youngsters and 14 new staff.

Mr Jones said: "I always knew the school would achieve a lot in its first year due to its nature, but I have been overwhelmed with the response and support of the parents, the area's companies and the local community.

"I never doubted the UTC's possibilities when we were first set the task of establishing it.

"But we didn't come in and say it's the solution, more that it was helping what was already here in West Cumbria. 

"There were challenges but that was always going to happen with a brand new school, but we pulled together with professionalism and commitment.

"People remember the old Workington Technical College and the fondness they have for that, has been applied to us here at the UTC."

Designed to replicate a work environment, the school aims to prepare its pupils for life in the workplace focusing on everything from communication and confidence to project work and industry skills.

Its first term has been jam packed, according to Mr Jones, who said the youngsters have benefited from educational trips to CERN research facility in Switzerland and London and Bristol in conjunction with the Royal Navy.

The students have also been exposed to a range of employer-based activities and college projects designed to test the pupils' abilities. 

Mr Jones added: "There are lots of project opportunities coming up in the near future in this area and that timeline fits perfectly for us in preparing our students for work in those industries. 

"The resulting impact for the region will be huge, so we need our children and future workforce to be ready.

"Our aim is to empower our students by making sure they're well informed and an inclusive and user friendly school environment, helps towards that."

Mr Jones attended a UTC conference two weeks ago, where he explained the benefits of the school's employer focus to leaders from the UK's other UTCs.

He said how impressed they were on the relationships between the school's supporting companies such as Morgan Sindall and Arup.

The school and organisations have learned from each other and have taken various strategies and applied them in their own institutions.

He said: "We're in a unique position where we stand shoulder to shoulder with our employer partners and supporters such as Lakes College.

"None of this could have been achieved without the people working around me, it's been a very humbling experience."