While yesterday's opening of a new sixth form building in an old fire station was special for all students, it was a particular relief for one girl who moved from the Midlands to attend it.

Eastern Daily Press: Student Adamya Tiwari at the new Sir Isaac Newton sixth form in the old fire station in Norwich city centre. Photo: Bill SmithStudent Adamya Tiwari at the new Sir Isaac Newton sixth form in the old fire station in Norwich city centre. Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant © 2014)

Ellisha Patel, 17, who moved from Coventry to Diss to go to the school, said: 'My dad already lived here and saw the school on the news and knew I was interested in science and maths so I applied here and moved in.

Eastern Daily Press: Student Ollie Burke at the new Sir Isaac Newton sixth form in the old fire station in Norwich city centre. Photo: Bill SmithStudent Ollie Burke at the new Sir Isaac Newton sixth form in the old fire station in Norwich city centre. Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant © 2014)

'It's quite nice to finally be in the building. It has raised our expectations. We did not expect it to be quite so high tech and the building is just so fantastic.'

Eastern Daily Press: The new Sir Isaac Newton sixth form in the old fire station in Norwich city centre. Photo: Bill SmithThe new Sir Isaac Newton sixth form in the old fire station in Norwich city centre. Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant © 2014)

Principal Mark Evans said Theodore Agnew, sponsor of the Inspiration Trust which the academy is a member of, was so worried about her commuting from Diss on her bright yellow moped that he paid for her to have a travel pass during the winter months.

• Photo gallery: The fire station that became a free school

Other students also spoke highly of the school, and its new home.

Jordan Potter, 16, from Hellesdon, said: 'It's exactly why I came here. I have found new friends and they are all excited by maths and science which helps you along. I think the building is a bit quirky. The design is nice and the rooms are quite small so we have quite small classes which is nice.'

Ollie Burke, 17, from Wroxham, said: 'I find it much better [than school]. At high school there was a really relaxed approach and they were not pushing you on as much as they do here, which is good because it makes you try to do better.'

Adamya Tawari, 17, from Dussindale, said: 'The main reason I chose it was because it's a specialist maths and science college. I did not have the same confidence with the other schools in terms of teaching, and the facilities are on another level compared to other sixth forms.'

Curtis Smith, 17, from Blenheim Park, said: 'It's really good. The teaching is really good and I'm in a lot better position then if I had gone to other sixth forms. I like really like how the old is mixed with the new in the building.'