Two Norwich students will be mentored by a former world sailing champion after triumphing in a national programme.
More than 100 applicants were put forward for the AQA Unlocking Potential scheme, which offers support for 14 to 19-year-olds who have faced personal challenges, by pairing them with trained mentors who have competed at major sporting events.
Ellie Chettleburgh, 16, and George Watson, 19, who both study at City College Norwich's sixth form centre, will now receive guidance from Essex sailor Sam Brearey.
Over the next eight months, the athlete will work alongside the pair - who were nominated by their tutor Charlotte Andrews - and help them deliver a community project at the end of the scheme.
George, who lives in south Norfolk, said: 'When I found out that I had been selected for the scheme, I felt so proud and nearly ended up breaking down when Charlotte told me. I also felt pleased that all of my hard work had been recognised.
'I hope that the scheme will help me improve my confidence in achieving my goal of becoming a chemistry teacher in a secondary school.'
Ellie, who lives in Dereham, said she hoped to gain 'confidence building skills' she can apply later in life - and hopes the scheme will boost her application to go to university.
The programme is run by education charity and examining body AQA and the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.
Mr Brearey described it as an 'amazing opportunity' and said the transformation of students from start to finish is 'incredible'.
'It's amazing when you see the students at the end of the project compared to how they were at the start. I'm looking forward to see similar transformations in Ellie and George as the programme progresses,' he said.
'I have been really impressed with how Ellie and George have responded to the programme so far.'
Of the students who took part in last year's programme, 98pc said they now work will in group and can communicate better with others.
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