The stars have come out at Melksham Oak Community School, following the introduction of the school’s first house system.

The four new houses are the brainchild of assistant head Aidan Blowers, and will see all staff and students at the school divided into four competing groups for the first time.

The names of the houses were decided at a whole school election on Thursday last week, to coincide with the Wiltshire Council elections.

Mr Blowers said: “We started this process three months ago with the whole school offering ideas, including famous leaders, Hogwart’s houses, even footballers’ haircuts.

“This was distilled down and a close-run vote saw four stars top the ballot, so our four house names will be Sirius, Castor, Polaris and Omega.”

The eight leaders of the new houses are all sixth form students in the school, who underwent a rigorous application process before being selected for the role.

Mr Blowers said: “They had to write a formal letter of application, be interviewed and then lead a group of Year 8s on a leadership activity.

“We hope the house system will help us to raise attainment, with the leaders mentoring other students.

“We’re now preparing for competitions, as students and staff vie to win our inaugural House Cup.

“This is the start of a new chapter at Melksham Oak and hopefully another element that will see us attain our goal of being a ‘great school’ and one the community can be really proud of.”