TEENAGER SWAPS LIFE IN NORTH EAST FOR STUDIES IN WINDSOR

A TEEN from Middlesbrough has embarked on a scholarship to Eton College, leaving behind his North East roots thanks to a prestigious award.

- By KRISTIE MCCRUM

Former state school pupil Abdul Bazina has embarked on his post-16 journey at the public school after receiving the Orwell Award a full scholarship that provides full boarding while he studies for his A-Levels in maths, further maths, biology, chemistry and physics.

Named after George Orwell, himself a recipient of a scholarship at Eton, the award is aimed at state school boys. It offers a life-changing opportunity for those with academic potential.

Applicants are means-tested, alongside considerations of other criteria such as being in receipt of Pupil Premium funding, being the first in the family with the potential to go to university, being a Looked After Child or having refugee status.

The school has many notable alumni, including Princes William and Harry, and former prime ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson.