Two days a week Jennifer Pinches is just a regular schoolgirl – but the rest of the time she’s on a gruelling training regime on a mission to make it to the London Olympics.

Known as Jenni to her friends, she’s just returned from the English Championships with a gold medal, and if she can win again at the European Championships in Belgium next month and at the Olympic Trials in May, then she stands a real chance of making the GB team.

Jenni, 17, a student at King’s sixth form, she said: "That’s my dream – that’s what I’ve been working towards my whole life.

"If I can keep at my current standard and don’t get injured then I’m in with a chance.

"To be in the team would be amazing, especially competing in front of a home crowd."

She started gymnastics aged six and now trains 30 hours a week at the City of Liverpool gymnastics centre, along with Beth Tweddle, the best British medal hope for the Olympics.

Jenni’s an all-rounder, which means she takes part on the bars, beam, floor and vault.

"As a child I had too much engery so my mum needed something to absorb it, and I was rubbish at ballet."

Jenni, who now lives in Whaley Bridge with dad Ian but spends time at her mum Jane’s house in Rainow, says she owes her success so far to the support she gets from her family, friends and school.

"Without them I wouldn’t be able to fulfil my potential. My friends are great – they still invite me to things even though they know a lot of the time I can’t go, and that’s so important."

Jenni, who has three younger brothers, Jonathan, 15, and Harry, 11, who both trampoline, and two-year-old Oliver, plays the piano, guitar and ukelele. She is studying for A levels in psychology and English and plans to go to uni.

"I’ve done a little acting and I’d really like to do more of that in the future," she added.

She was the star of ‘A Different Life’ when she was 10 – a documentary about her life as a gymnast.

And she’s philosophical about missing out on some of the other things regular teenagers do.

"When I have a day off I make the most of it, I rest but also see myfriends.

"Right now I just need to focus and train for 2012 – there will be time for everything else later."

Mum Jane, 40, a teacher, added: "Jenni was always fearless as a child, her gymnastic coach said straight away she had something. We are all incredibly proud."

Dad Ian added: "She was vaulting out of her cot aged barely one, which we didn’t realise was exceptional being our first child!

"It’s a commitment that we as her parents and as her family have been delighted to make, but I think everyone understands it is not easy and has meant many sacrifices."

Ruth Roberts, principal of the King’s Sixth Form, said: "This is a special time for Jennifer and her family and we are all acutely aware of her immense effort and dedication.

"The Olympic Games will be really special for everyone at King’s, not just because they are in London, but because we have Jennifer."

Jenni will also be in action in June’s British Championships, to be held in Liverpool in June.