IN future international sporting events, teachers at Queens' School, Bushey, will be hoping to see a few familiar faces.

A programme has been launched at the school which aims to help talented students reach their potential by rising to the pinnacle of their sports. Called the Junior Athlete Education Programme, it is run by the Youth Sports Trust and is part of a Government strategy for sports colleges.

Sixteen students have so far been identified as "gifted and talented" within their sports, which include football, hockey, golf, athletics, basketball, diving, Gallic football and boxing. They will now be part of the scheme, which aims to support, educate and motivate them.

The students on the programme will have a mentor within the school and will attend regular workshops and seminars, which will teach them about relevant issues such as time management, nutrition and rehabilitation of injury.

The aim of the scheme is to ensure students do the best they can in their sports and school work by helping them juggle their homework, training, family and social life.

To read profiles of three budding young sports stars, see tomorrow's Watford Observer.