The Queen is to visit King Edward VII High School at King's Lynn later this month, continuing a long association with the Royal Family and providing the icing on the cake for its centenary celebrations.

The Queen is to visit King Edward VII High School at King's Lynn later this month, continuing a long association with the Royal Family and providing the icing on the cake for its centenary celebrations.

KES began life in the chapel of St Margaret's Church in Lynn in 1510, before transferring to a disused butchers' shambles on the Saturday Market Place and later to buildings in St James Street.

The move to Gaywood Road followed the donation of tens of thousands of pounds - the equivalent of millions today - by old boy William Lancaster, to build a new school.

Mr Lancaster was rewarded with a knighthood and 1906 saw a grand opening by King Edward VII, accompanied by his entire family.

Plans for the school were reputedly turned 90 degrees so it faced what used to be the railway line, because the King liked to see it as he travelled to the royal estate at Sandringham.

The Queen, who visited KES in 1956 for the 50th anniversary, will be back on the school on Wednesday, January 24 to unveil a plaque at a £1.2m new maths block.

The six-classroom complex, which is currently under construction, will replace a number of mobile classrooms.

Headteacher Mike Douglass said: “It's fantastic for the school.

“It's quite nice as well as it's the tail end of our centenary now. Her Majesty came to visit the school for its 50th anniversary so I think it's lovely that she's coming to visit the school in its centenary.”