The first British female boxer in history to qualify for the Olympic Games pitched up at a high school.

Natasha Jonas, a 2012 Olympian, visited Whitby High School as part of the Sky Sports ‘Living For Sport’ initiative.

Natasha started on the bell with an ‘inspirational assembly’ to Year 7 pupils, highlighting the barriers and challenges she overcame to qualify for the Olympics.

The students are said to have taken away a strong message that ‘dedication and commitment to both sport and education’ is essential to gain success.

She attended a number of different lessons throughout the day and provided A-Level PE studies students with an insight into the training and lifestyle of an elite athlete.

A former European champion, she also ran a coaching session with a group of students who attend Vauxhall Boxing Club who were put through their paces on the pads and offered both technical and tactical advice.

Natasha spent the afternoon with a group of Whitby High School’s able, gifted and talented female students, explaining what it was like for her as a female to succeed in what was a male dominated sport.

The students asked a number of questions relating to Natasha’s experiences, training regime and diet.

She then treated them to a boxing circuit with the students experiencing what it was like to train as an elite athlete.

They came away with a new sporting role model.

“We feel very privileged to have welcomed Natasha Jonas into school and have her work with our young people,” said headteacher Bryn Heeley.

“Everyone involved found her inspirational and gained a great deal from her input. I thank her for her time and commitment to developing sport within schools.”