Two teens from an east end London school have overcome huge challenges to win scholarships to the top fee-paying schools in the country including Eton College.

A remarkable eight students from Forest Gate Community School have won all expenses places worth over half a million pounds to the sixth form at private schools.

They are the sons and daughters of taxi drivers, cleaners and a nail technician. All but one is from an immigrant family.

Despite the challenges of their early lives, they are now they are heading for the most respected fee-paying schools in the country.

They won their places via the Prestigious Colleges programme run by The Community Schools Trust, the multi academy trust which oversees Forest Gate Community School.

Students are assigned a mentor who supports with applications, entrance exams and interview preparation, as well as paying all administration fees.

The scholarships are funded by the private schools.

Islam Ilyas, 15, from Stratford, East London, will study A Levels in maths, further maths, physics and computer science at Wellington College, Berkshire, on a scholarship worth £90,000.

He said: "I am bit nervous because I will be boarding there away from my family but I am sure I will easily adjust into the environment there. This will open new doors for my career and life, it is such a huge opportunity."

Ilyan Benamor, 15, from Stratford, is heading to Eton College to study A Levels in politics, English literature and French He said: "I want to return to my home country of Algeria to become a politician. Going to Eton will help open lots of doors towards fulfilling my ambition."