A new city free school has announced the name of its principal.

Mark Evans has been the deputy head of the sixth form centre at City College Norwich for the past three years but is set to leave to take on the job of running the Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form which opens next September.

The free school, which was given the go-ahead by the government earlier this year, will focus on science and maths and has made the bold promise that it will help its students achieve top A-levels and gain places at the country's best universities.

Rachel de Souza, who together with Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital chairman David Prior has led the creation of the school, said she was confident they had found the right person for the job.

After interviewing six candidates, the Ormiston Victory Academy principal said: 'For me, all the ingredients are there: great scientist, great teacher, and someone who gets Norfolk and has high aspirations.

'One of the main reasons he got it is because he's someone who really understands students and wants to teach still.

'We've promised big things. We need someone who loves working with students, can raise achievements and make those ideas a reality.'

To read Dr Evans' first interview since being appointed principal of the Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Free School, see tomorrow's paper.