IPSWICH: Students studying for their A-levels at an Ipswich high school are today enjoying new state-of-the-art facilities after the first revamp for 14 years.

Copleston Sixth Form has undergone a major �70,000 refurbishment project to bring learning facilities up-to-date.

When the sixth form was built in 1996, it did not include purpose built study areas.

But now students can maximise their learning using new colourfully painted areas with study desks, each with their own computer.

There is also new flooring which is set to be replaced throughout the Sixth Form Centre in each of the classrooms before Christmas.

Esther Watkin, head of sixth form, said the new facilities have already encouraged more students to spend extra time studying in the centre.

“Until this year facilities have been fairly basic,” she said. “The student exit surveys in the last couple of years have indicated the study facilities could be better.

“So we have listened to them and responded by spending a fairly hefty amount of money on improving the learning environment. It needs to look good and do the job properly to allow the students to learn effectively.

“School finishes at 2.15pm on a Wednesday, but this Wednesday it was gone 3pm when I checked and there were still lots of students using the area. It was really good to see them responding in such a positive way. It is already making a huge impact. I think the students have appreciated we have listened to them.”

With the opening of the Suffolk One centre last month, Mrs Watkin said there is increased competition in Ipswich as the education environment in the area changes.

“It was primarily a response to students, but we have to recognise it is a competitive environment and we want students to enjoy learning.”

Visitors can see the facilities at an open evening at 7pm on Thursday.

n Do you think new facilities boost learning? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.