To mark Ely College joining the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust on Friday, more than 1,000 ties (red, gold, blue and green) were handed out to students.

Students were greeted by others from CMAT schools across Cambridgeshire and each received one of the four coloured ties to show which ‘house’ they are in.

County and local councillors, business leaders and primary school headteachers attended the event, which included a briefing on a number of upcoming improvements set out by CMAT.

Installing new toilets, redecorating classrooms and corridors and improving outside areas for students are some of the ‘immediate investments’ being made over the summer.

Another change being introduced is three-year GCSEs. It means that Year 8 students will begin some of their GCSE courses in September.

Mark Woods, chief executive of CMAT, which currently operate six schools in the area, said before the event: “We are hugely excited about Ely College’s transfer to the trust.

“This journey won’t be easy as the college is currently in a very difficult position; results have been disappointing, pupils numbers have declined and many of the buildings do need some immediate attention.

“But we have a clear plan of action and have already started taking steps to improve both educational standards and the school site itself.”