An experienced teacher is looking forward heading a new free school in the community.

St Mary’s Hampton has appointed Catherine Davis, who has been headteacher at Trinity Church of England School in Devizes since 2009, to its top position.

Miss Davis led the school through a programme of improvement, expansion and relocation and said she was delighted to be appointed by Hampton free school, due to open in September.

She said: “This is a unique opportunity for the local community to work together to shape the future for our children, where excellent educational standards will be established for generations to come.

“I bring a wealth of experience and a successful track record leading church schools, raising and maintaining high standards and I have high expectations in teaching, learning and behaviour.

“I am very much looking forward to meeting the children and their families in the near future and working hard with the governing body to prepare our school for opening next September.

“To be St Mary’s first headteacher is a real privilege and I am determined to build a place of excellence where children will be excited and enthused by the educational opportunities we provide.”

Proposers, St Mary’s Parish Church and parents, were given the go ahead by the Department for Education to redevelop the Oldfield Centre for the new school, which will cater for 210 children aged four to 11.

The small family-based school will have a Christian ethos but be open to all faiths and hopes to provide a supportive and well-rounded learning environment.

Miss Davis, who studied music and education at Homerton College, Cambridge, will start at the school after Easter.

Parents and children are invited to meet Miss Davis at an open morning at the school site at the Oldfield Centre in Hampton on Saturday, January 5.