A FORMER Chard student is celebrating after receiving a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Catherine Phillips graduated from the University of Plymouth on January 17.

She is an ex pupil of Manor Court Primary School and Holyrood Community School, both in Chard.

After leaving Holyrood she attained a BA degree at the University of Bath and spent a year on placement at the prestigious Harvard University in the United States.

Catherine (pictured) is the youngest daughter of John and Deborah Phillips of Pudleigh, Wadeford, and is already putting her qualification to good use at a practice in Gloucestershire.