Romford boy William Eze on his Eton College experience

William Eze, who previously attended Royal Liberty School in Gidea Park, started at Eton College in September.

The teenager, whose family lives in Romford, won a scholarship to Eton through the Orwell Award programme.

Boys in UK state schools whose academic performance may have been held back by personal circumstance, such as coming from an area where opportunities for higher education are lower, are eligible for the award.

William's path to Eton was not straightforward and he said he did not initially want to apply.

"There's a certain stigma surrounding Eton where I felt like I wouldn't personally fit in here.

"But now that I've been here for a year I can completely refute that," he said.

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William (centre in back) with his family (Image: Eton College)

William said that he initially "struggled" with the school's timetable, which marked a significant change to his routine.

"I struggled when I first joined to get my head around the schedule of the day, but the school has a very good support system in place."

The 16-year-old, who moved to Romford from Newham at the start of secondary school, said he missed close relationships with friends, but said they were delighted for him when he was accepted in December 2022.

"We were all together in a group and that was very lively," William said. "My friends were very, very supportive when I got in."

William also spoke about his childhood in east London where at times he feels the right role models were lacking.

"In the absence of such a person, people try and emulate things they shouldn't, and that's why we see rampant issues of gang crime and knife crime," he said.

The 16-year-old said he wanted to show that people from his background can achieve great things, such as getting into Eton, and help those around him.

"A lot of people get trapped in that life, especially when people around them are involved in it.

"Having somebody around them who has left that circle can be very beneficial for them," he added.

William, who studies maths, further maths, economics and computer science, has two brothers aged 18 and 16 and sisters who are in Years 6 and 7.

At Eton, he lives in a boarding house which has 50 boys during term time, a considerable change from his home life.

"There were a mix of emotions for me," William said when asked about leaving home.

"The boarding aspect was definitely one of those things, but I wanted to board because I've got lots of siblings at home, and wanted my own space for once," he added with a smile.

Just less than a year on, William said he has settled into life at Eton but hopes to return to Romford and Royal Liberty soon to inspire students there.