FOLLOWING what has been described as 'a rigorous and competitive application process', the John Masefield High School in Ledbury will begin the autumn term with a new head boy and head girl.

The head boy will be Ryan Ing and the head girl, Lucy Admans.

A school spokesman said: "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ryan Ing and Lucy Admans as Head Boy and Head Girl for the next academic year at John Masefield Sixth Form.

"We were delighted with the quantity and quality of applications received and very much look forward to working with Ryan and Lucy and the other 15 members of the newly formed Sixth Form Student Leadership Team. We wish all students every success in their new roles."

In a joint statement, Ryan and Lucy said: "We are really pleased to introduce ourselves as the new Head Boy and Head Girl for 2016/17.

"This year, our aim is to improve cohesion and pride within the sixth form by encouraging more people to participate in activities and projects throughout the year. We hope to build upon existing community links and get more people involved in representing and raising the profile of the sixth form. We are extremely grateful to be given this responsibility and look forward to working alongside student leaders and staff to improve our school and sixth form”.

Ryan is studying A-levels in Music, Physics, Geography and Biology and Lucy French, Physics, Psychology and Biology.

Ryan is also completing an Extended Project Qualification, which is worth half an A-level, where he is planning to launch and track a meteorological balloon in September and has approached a number of sponsors to help fund.

Following the launch, and in order to involve the whole school community in the exciting project he plans to regularly update students with its progress.