A talented student from Plaistow has been offered a place at a prestigious specialist sixth form after passing a rigorous two-hour problem-solving exam and giving two impressive interviews.

Anup Das, a pupil at Eastlea Community School in Canning Town, will take his place among the brightest and best young mathematicians in the country after winning a place at the King’s College London Mathematics School.

The 16-year-old will study A Levels in maths, physics, further maths and economics from September.

The school in Lambeth, south London, has the best results for maths and science in the country, and outstrips the top independent schools including Eton and Winchester College.

It is run in partnership with King’s College London University,

Anup, who was among just 60 students to have been accepted this year, was at home with his family when he discovered he had won a place.

He said: “It was a bit surreal. It came by email so I was on my own in my room. My brother and dad were in and I went to tell them.

“I was in a bit of a daze because I really did not think I would get in. My family are so proud of me.

“They have always stressed the importance of education and I guess that message got through to me.”

Last year, the school, inspired by the famous Kolmogorov Physics and Mathematics School in Moscow, sent 25 percent of graduates to either Oxford or Cambridge.

The rest went to Russell Group universities.

Anup added: “We are talking about the best of the best from all over the country. In school I am used to being one of the smartest but there I will have to start again.

“I am looking forward to the challenge. To work and collaborate with people who have the same interest in maths and science as I do will be great.”

Stephen Gillatt, Eastlea Community School headteacher, said: “We keep telling our students that they should set themselves extremely high targets.

“But words mean nothing if we can’t back it up with examples of students leaving this school for the very best colleges and universities.

“Anup has proven that with the right kind of education, support, motivation and desire, absolutely anything is possible for our students.”