Aylesbury's new MP praised the "enthusiasm, skills and knowledge" of students during a visit to the town's University Technical College (UTC) on Monday.

Laura Kyrke-Smith MP was given a tour of Aylesbury UTC by principal Joe Dunckley and representatives from the Baker Dearing Educational Trust.

The tour included the health and social care suite and digital design facilities.

The suite, which was opened last year by former Ofsted chief inspector Sir Mike Tomlinson and former Aylesbury MP Rob Butler, includes a practical health suite with a two-bed hospital ward and an assessment/triage room, as well as a mock home and kitchen.

Students have used the facility to study new T Level qualifications, which require a 315-hour placement with an employer.

Aylesbury UTC recently received £120,000 to upgrade its digital facilities, including new computers, virtual reality headsets, and industry-standard Adobe software.

During the visit, Kyrke-Smith met with students and discussed issues with staff and Baker Dearing, including teacher recruitment and retention.

The UTC has been at the forefront of offering flexible working for staff, allowing teachers to spend one day a week planning lessons, marking, and completing administrative tasks at home.

This approach has "demonstrably" aided recruitment and retention, according to Dunckley.

The MP also discussed the government's ongoing curriculum and assessment review and Baker Dearing’s plans to expand the benefits of a UTC education to more schools through its UTC Sleeve initiative.

Laura Kyrke-Smith MP said: "I was delighted to visit Aylesbury UTC and see the facilities it has to provide young people in our area with a fantastic technical education."