A student from a school in Canning Town is set to become the first person in his family to go to university after winning a place on a two year academic scheme.

Taha Nadeem will have fortnightly tutorials at University College London and learn revision and presentation skills being picked for the Horizons programme.

The Eastlea Community School pupil was one of a handful of students to gain a place on the prestigious scheme which aims at getting bright pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds into top universities.

Taha, who lives in Forest Gate, had to complete an online application, attend an interview and get a supporting reference from the school.

The 14-year-old, who has now set his sights on doing a maths degree at UCL, said: “No one from my family has ever gone to university so to win a place on this programme that will help me go to one of the best in the world is an amazing feeling.

“Before the school told me about this programme I really didn’t feel I could go to a top university. But at this school they have very high expectation and aspirations for us students.

“My mum and dad are so proud of me and that makes me feel proud of myself. These types of opportunities don’t come around too often so I want to grab it with both hands.”

Meg Khan, who is the More Able Manager at Eastlea Community School said: “This is a very selective programme so it is clear that they have seen something special in Taha.

“He is very bright but he is also a very determined and hardworking you man. We have a new ethos at this school of pushing our students to be highly aspirational.

“These types of programmes give them the confidence to believe there are no limits to what they can achieve.”