A SAILING world champion has been helping pupils boost their self-confidence as part of a trailblazing new programme.

Essex-based Sam Brearey, a world champion and triple European sailing champion, has been working with Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham.

Six pupils from the school, in Southminster Road, have been given one-to- one mentoring sessions with Sam.

The sessions, which run until January, are part of the On Track to Achieve Programme (Otta) run by the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

Sam has spent time helping the students to identify and work on key areas of personal development such as self-esteem, confidence, achievement or behaviour, and has set tasks aimed at addressing these.

As part of the scheme the pupils are also developing community projects to address issues faced by young people in Burnham.

Last week they travelled to London to present the ideas to the trust and world- class athletes.

Year 11 pupil Harry Bradley said: “The Otta programme has really helped me and has made me more confident.

“Before the program I was shy and didn’t really like to talk to other people, now I talk to others without the fear. Sam was a funny and good mentor, he wasn’t like a teacher, he was more like a friend. He managed to get all of us to bond and now everyone who contributed to the programme knows a lot more about one another.”

Pupil Jade King added: “This programme has really helped boost my confidence and has improved my team-working skills.

“I have enjoyed working with Sam to produce our presentation on how to help isolated people and it has taught me a lot.”

Joan Costello, principal at Ormiston Rivers, said: “We are immensely proud of all the students involved and look forward to seeing them progress even further.”