Young racers will be putting on their helmets to go behind the wheel for the first ever Formula E School Series Championship.

Altogether, six keen students from Little Ilford School, in Manor Park,will be taking part in the international race at Battersea Park on Saturday.

The students also had the opportunity to meet two sporting champs to get some inspiration ahead of the event.

Teacher, Famida Noor-Mahomed, who heads the school’s race team as part of the engineering club, said the visit by karate teacher Paul Coleman and boxing champ, James Cook, MBE, will help inspire the children.

“It’s a two way street, the students explained the race to the visitors and they in turn, told the students about staying at the top of the game.”

The race will include ten teams made up of children from local schools from across the country.

Each team will be provided with a kit to build their own mini electric race car, which will then compete in a special support race on the full-size Formula E track.

Mrs Noor-Mohamed added: “When I found out that our bid was successful and that we would be racing in Central London, I was overjoyed!

“My aim over the last nine years of running the club has been to show the students what STEM opportunities are on our doorstep! Greenpower stretches the student’s skills and abilities. The students are taught the basic by me and during the races they have to put this into practise.”

Year 10 student, Mohammed Kheri, is the driver for the team, called Elite.

He said: “We are not there to make up the numbers. We believe that we can win!”

Maheen Khan, 15, added: “Engineering has opened many doors for me. Miss Noor Mahomed is my inspiration. She has taught us that girls are just as good as boys at everything! Our team have achieved so much considering we work out of a converted bin truck and we are part of this prestigious race at Battersea Park!”