A secondary school in Malmesbury has become ‘the master of its own destiny’ when it comes to providing students with the best careers advice in Wiltshire.

Malmesbury School is the first in the county to achieve the Government’s new career mark, a quality award which recognises that the school will provide the highest standards of careers’ advice to its pupils.

Tim Gilson, head at Malmesbury School, which went through 18 months of assessment to achieve the award, said: “This award underlines our commitment to making sure that our pupils are aware of how decisions made now can affect career choices in the future.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to ensure our students receive the very best advice and guidance.”

The draft report from the government’s assessor described how the school had taken considerable steps to raise the profile of careers education through an improved infrastructure and the use of outside organisations.

It states: “All students spoken to were polite, articulate and enthusiastic; they dem-onstrated the outcomes of a good career education and guidance programme and were well-informed decision makers.

“The school is now ‘master of its own destiny’ and can feel confident that it is providing a solid foundation for its students to be successful in adult life.”

Other schools applying for a career mark include: Abb-eyfield and Hardenhuish, Chippenham; John Bentley, Calne; St John’s, Marlbor-ough; and Wiltshire College.