A rising star has “handed his notice in” at school to pursue his football dream.

Mitchell Ware is to join West Ham United’s youth set-up and will leave Sittingbourne’s Fulston Manor School in July.

A talented goalkeeper, the Year 9 pupil will complete his education at the East London club, fitting in GCSE studies around training.

The 14-year-old, who earlier this year took part in an England Under-15s training camp, will live in a house provided by the club during the week and return home at weekends.

Mitchell, of Minster Road, Minster, said flying the nest at an early age might not prove much of a wrench for parents, Lisa and Adrian.

He said: “I think mum and dad will find it easier as all I do is eat when I’m at home.”

Mitchell’s sister, Grace, is also a talent between the sticks – she is goalkeeper at Gillingham’s Under-13s girls’ team at its Centre of Excellence.

A Year 7 student, also at Fulston Manor, Grace hopes to follow in her brother’s footsteps and line-up with the national team.

Mitchell is described by his school as a “confident lad who is totally passionate about his sport”.

Staff said he hasn’t abandoned them totally, and has pledged to be Fulston’s VIP speaker at presentation evenings at the Brenchley Road school once he has “made it to the top”.

“We have no doubt that will happen,” a spokesman said.