David Beckham has backed a campaign to help find the most talented school pupils across London. Teachers from Barnet secondary schools are invited to nominate their pupils for the London Student Awards.

This new competition is designed to celebrate and reward pupils who have the potential to be the capital's next generation of great writers, artists, engineers or sportspeople.

In association with Newsquest London and BBC London, the awards scheme is open to pupils in Years 9-11, across six categories: performing arts, sport, creative writing, art and design, information communications technology and science.

Teachers are asked to nominate one student for each category based on their track record of achievement. Six Barnet winners will be selected and go through to the London final, judged by an expert panel including celebrities.

The overall winner for each category will be rewarded with a unique experience, donated by corporate sponsors, to help further enhance their talents and skills.

The winner of the performing arts category for example, sponsored by Mersey TV, will visit the set of Hollyoaks where they will have access to the actors and receive advice on how to break into the business. Other sponsors offering 'money can't buy experiences' include a bespoke training and fitness programme from the David Beckham Academy for the sports category, working on an advertising campaign with Viacom Outdoor for art and design and the opportunity to work along side npower's engineers on a renewable energy project for the science winner.

The deadline for entries is April 21. Barnet finalists will be announced in May with the overall winners invited to an awards ceremony in July.

Kate Webster, headteacher at Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School, in Meadway, Barnet, said: "I was delighted to hear about these new awards for London's students. Schemes such as these are extremely important in recognising and rewarding students' achievements and I hope they will help generate more awareness of the wealth of talent within our borough's secondary schools.

"At Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School, we have a number of gifted and talented students who I look forward to nominating for the London Student Awards."

Terry Byrne, director of football at the David Beckham Academy, said: "David and the coaches think the London Student Awards are a great idea and The David Beckham Academy is proud to be supporting them. There are so many talented pupils in London's schools and the London Student Awards will give them recognition for all their hard work."

The awards form part of 'London's Schools Celebrating Achievement', a new campaign to communicate the significant improvements within London's schools following the implementation of the London Challenge.

All schools should have received their nomination packs through the post. In the event that an additional pack is required, teachers can call 020 7344 8783.

For more information, call Yvonne or Luke on 020 7299 8783 or 020 7299 8769.