The new head boy and girl at a middle school stood out as natural leaders, their head teacher said.

Keidel Astwood and Michael Simons took over their new roles at a ceremony held at Warwick’s TN Tatem Middle School last week.

The M3 pupils said it was an exciting experience.

Michael, 13, said: “It shows me that I have done good stuff — and that the reward for that is getting head boy.”

Keidel, 12, said that she had worked hard for the title — including being a good role model both inside and outside the classroom.

She added: “Being recognised and being pinned was a huge honour.”

Keidel views her main responsibility is to lead her peers by example.

She said: “I think you should carry yourself well — show them that you deserved it as much as any person.”

Michael wants to ensure respect and foster relationships among classmates, as well as between pupils and teachers.

Garita Coddington, the principal at TN Tatem, said that both pupils had stood out to her last term in her first year in charge.

Ms Coddington added: “They were able to be engaged, not only in the classroom, but also outside the classroom.” She said the pair were also “readily available to volunteer for anything”.

Ms Coddington added: “I saw how they had an impact on their peers.”

She said that Keidel and Michael set a good example to other pupils by the way they presented themselves, how they spoke and through their academic achievements.

Ms Coddington said that Keidel and Michael had submitted applications for their new roles.

They and other prospective pupils were interviewed by a panel made up of school staff, parents and volunteers.

The panel passed on their recommendations to Ms Coddington for final approval. Ms Coddington said the pair’s main responsibility was to “galvanise positivity among students”.

She added: “I know that they possess the characteristics of leading the students.”

Milae Smith and Nathan Wilson were appointed deputy head girl and deputy head boy.