Forest Gate pupils win places at top uni summer course

Bright pupils from deprived backgrounds have won places at a prestigious summer course at one of the world’s top universities.

Adam Patel, 16, of Forest Gate and Mufeeda Chowdhury, 16, of Forest Gate are among a select few from Forest Gate Community School to be offered places on the University College London Year 11 Summer School in August.

Only pupils that are predicted at least five A/A* at GCSE, come from a deprived background or have parents that didn’t go to university, were accepted on the programme.

Adam, who has already won a £32,000 scholarship to top independent school Latymer in west London, said: “The school really encouraged us to go in for this programme because it would help us with university applications. It will also help us get a good understanding of what life will be like when we go to university.”

Mufeeda said: “It is going to be a bit intimidating going to this big university but it is a great chance for all of us.”

Forest Gate Community School runs a scholarship programme that has helped four pupils win places at top independent schools, including David Cameron’s old school Eton College.

Headteacher Simon Elliott said: “This is a very prestigious programme and only the brightest and most dedicated pupils win places.”