The highest achieving students at King’s Ely became King’s and Queen’s Scholars during a special installation service this week.

Every year, students are selected to become scholars on the basis of excellence in their GCSE examinations. They are installed upon entry into Year 12 and continue until Year 13.

As academic leaders of the school, the scholars receive their distinctive red gowns – the colour traditionally associated with royalty. They are also admitted as members of the Cathedral Foundation.

The King’s and Queen’s Scholars provide a continuing connection to the foundation of the school by Henry VIII in 1541 and the introduction of co-education in 1971, soon after which Queen Elizabeth II instigated Queen’s Scholars.

Principal of King’s Ely, Sue Freestone, said: “Becoming a scholar means so much to the students involved and I can do no better than to quote one of them, who said: ‘I am so happy that I am now a King’s Scholar and that I have fulfilled one of my dreams. Ever since I first saw the Scholars - which was when I was four years old - I have really admired them and to be one of them is truly amazing’.”

This year’s scholar are: Eleanor Banahan, Valerie Beeston, James Bridgman, Lucie Clift, Annabel Green, Adam Hatoum, Sam Hirons, Yuki Kimura, Christopher Le, Harriet Moore, Alexander Piggot, Madeleine Pinto, Euan Richards and Matilda Scott.