MENTORS from the University of Chester are spending one afternoon a week at Penketh High School trying to build rapport with pupils.
The initiative is run by the university's Warrington campus in Fearnhead, and aims to replicate the success of the parent scheme in Chester, which involves more than 150 young people at seven schools.
Helen Phillips, deputy head teacher at Penketh High School, said: "Pupils are given the opportunity to talk about any problems they may have, and often they confide in their mentors about issues which they wouldn't necessarily share with their teachers.
"The rewards are immense for both mentors and pupils. At first pupils may be a little reticent, but very soon both parents and teachers notice a tangible increase in their confidence levels."
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