Parents and youngsters are prepared to “take a leap of faith” and apply to a specialist school that has not yet been built.

On Wednesday dozens of people turned out for an open evening about Medway’s first University Technology College (UTC).

The new-style secondary school, for 14 to 19-year-olds, will specialise in engineering and construction and is due to open next September at Chatham Docks.

Rebecca Huntingford is helping her daughter Connie, 13, apply for a place and said: “I think it all sounds fantastic.

“I suppose you could see it as a bit scary but you can’t go through life not seizing opportunities.

“It just seems right, we’re taking a leap of faith.”

Rainham Girls pupil Connie took part in a school engineering competition, which inspired her interest in the subject.

She said: “I really enjoyed it, but the boys said girls shouldn’t do engineering so that made me want to do it more.”

Angela and Gary Challis’ son Ryan has been interested in a career in architectural engineering for six years, and was building things out of boxes from a very young age.

The 15-year-old said he was excited, with the UTC being the chance he had been waiting for.

His father added: “In this world you can’t wait for things to happen, you have to plan ahead.

“You never know, Ryan may be the next Brunel.”

Also there was Tom Bates, 15, who dreads a job stuck in an office all day. He said: “I like the idea of working hands-on and getting involved with big companies like BAE.”

Mum Tarnya added: “We are so impressed by all the opportunities the UTC will give him.”

Visitors to the open evening could meet principal Dr Karon Buck and talk to civil engineer Kelli Randall, a former Medway schoolgirl who is working on the new Rochester railway station.

Dr Buck said: “I’m really pleased to see so many people here, especially a lot of girls.

“Soon people will see the UTC rising from the soil, with the help of our huge support network including top businesses, the university and Medway Council.”