JAZZ CARLIN is still an inspiration to children at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy.

Staff and governors who were there when she was a pupil remember a determined but popular girl who did her best whatever activity she was involved in.

Chairman of the governors Marion Sweet was one who was up in the early hours to what the 25-year-old in the final and confessed she shed a tear at the end.

“We are tremendously proud,” she said. “I was absolutely desperate for her to get a medal.”

Like many she had followed the swimmer’s fortunes over the years since she left the former Wootton Bassett School and was disappointed when she missed out on the opportunity to compete in the London Games four years ago because of illness.

“She kept going. That is tremendous spirit to be able to do that,” she said.

“She had so many barriers to overcome to get back into form.”

“She was such a studious young person when she was at school. She excelled in everything she did.”

She explained the school still had a noticeboard urging young people to go for their goals and that Jazz was an inspiration to current pupils.

“She was quite single-minded about what she wanted to do, but she was very popular.”