JACK Baldwin is out to impress and get pass marks this afternoon; after already making an impression at Hartlepool United, the teenager will be playing in front of his old school teacher.

When Pools are at Colchester United, the 17-year-old will be alongside Sam Collins in central defence in the absence of the suspended Peter Hartley.

He has filled in as centre-half during recent away games at Walsall and Yeovil, impressing with his maturity and calmness at the back.

Today, however, one of his mentors and a bus load of pupils from the school he attended will be watching his development.

"It's nice to know I'll be starting there and I can prepare myself for the job I have to do,'' he said. It's different to playing in midfield, different jobs to do you have to be switched on all day and I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"It's not too far for my family, 45 minutes or so and, Charlton aside on the last day, it's the closest for my parents.

"And one of my old PE teachers is taking a year nine football team there from Eastbury Comprehensive. I've been to Colchester with them before to see them in a cup final, so I know what the stadium is all about.

"I think he is taking them there to show the students that they can make it into the professional game.

"It seems to recent since I was there playing school football, the last year has been a whirlwind.''

Arriving at Pools on trial last summer, while on the books of Faversham Town, Baldwin impressed to the extent that Mick Wadsworth was quick to offer him a contract.

And the judgement has proved a sound one, with Baldwin starting eight times, albeit first under Micky Barron and then Neale Cooper as Wadsworth kept him out of the first-team picture as part of his quick development at Victoria Park.

But he will always be thankful to his former school teacher for preparing him for the big leap to professional football.

"Wayne Baldacchino is my old teacher in the PE department and he managed the football teams, we have a close bond,'' he reflected.

"I was playing with my mates until the age of 13, I joined the school team then the sixth form team and it was Wayne who gave me the confidence to progress. He has really helped me out and it will be nice to see him on Friday.

"A few of my friends are hopefully coming along as well.

"There was talk of Colchester watching me at one time when I was 16 and playing at Ebbsfleet, but nothing came of it.''

Baldwin is a regular under Cooper and the boss has regularly praised his performances of late.

He was man of the match at Walsall, despite only being drafted into the back line 20 minutes before kick-off, after Collins was forced out with a calf problem.

"Friday will be nice to play alongside Sam from the start,'' he said. "I didn't start too well at Yeovil in midfield, but settled when I was at the back.

"It was good be there with Sam, he always lets you know how he can help you out and it's a nice challenge.''

Hartley is suspended for a game after his dismissal for two bookings in last weekend's loss to Sheffield United

Cooper admitted: "It's a blow to lose Peter, he's only young but has experience and is a good competitor.

"The disappointing one was his first booking, maybe it could have been avoided. But young Jack comes in, that's his position. I'm sure he will come in and do a good job.''

He added: "It was one of the best performances we have had since I came back last week, I would put it up there.

"I was a bit concerned after watching them beforehand, but the effort was excellent and created more chances. I really thought Antony Sweeney was going to score right at the end but it wasn't to be.

"We lost Peter later on as well and still kept going. Effort, commitment was there and the support saw that against one of the teams going for promotion.

"We pick ourselves up again for a very busy weekend with back to back games.

"We are tight at the back, but not scoring. Ryan Noble has come in to rectify that and he scored at Yeovil. He didn't get much chance against Sheffield United, but it's not just down to one player, it's a collective thing.''

Luke James won't play today, Cooper wary of the travelling and back to back games, so Ritchie Humphreys is likely to start in his place.