A teacher who was born and bred in Haverhill has spoken of her pride and delight after being appointed to lead the town’s new sixth form.

Students have begun benefiting from the new-look, newly-named Haverhill Community Sixth Form which offers independent study and social areas and enhanced facilities.

At the helm of the new post-16 education offering is Daisy Hopkins who has been appointed as the new head of sixth form.

Daisy was a student at Place Farm Primary School, Parkway Middle School and Castle Manor Academy before joining the teaching staff at Samuel Ward Academy in 2012.

She said: “I am really excited to be given this chance to lead the new Haverhill Community Sixth Form.

“I am proud to be born and bred in Haverhill and I want students to share that pride in studying within the town, while also helping them to raise the bar and broaden their aspirations.”

The sixth form centre, which remains on the site of Samuel Ward Academy, includes silent and group study areas, greater IT and pastoral care facilities and a coffee shop - following a consultation exercise with students.

Daisy, 31, a teacher of media and arts, was head of Year 11 at Samuel Ward Academy last year before leading sixth form provision in Haverhill and the surrounding areas.

She said: “Having taught Year 11 students at Samuel Ward last year, I was delighted to see so many return and join Haverhill Community Sixth Form along with many other students.

“It is great to now offer them an opportunity to study, learn and research within their own environment and to create their own independence.

They all seem really impressed and excited by their new facilities.”