As one of the world’s most famous schools, Eton College has educated prime ministers, writers and scientists. The college’s classrooms have also been graced by royalty, including Princes William and Harry.
But now a teenager from an inner city school in Leicester has won a scholarship to study with pupils from rich and prestigious families. Sixteen-year-old Abdi Rahman Sudi, from Oak Street in Highfields, has been awarded the Joe Burrell Bursary.
The Moat Community College pupil will be able to use the award to pay his fees at Eton, which are around £22,000 a year.
Abdi will start his A Levels at Eton in September 2005. He will do physics, maths, economics and government and politics. Family background Abdi was born in Somalia but has lived in Sweden for much of his life. His mother, Osob Kullane, who is a teaching assistant, moved the family to the UK in 1999, although his father, Abdullah, still lives partly in Somalia. | "I’m going there very much for the academic side of things – but I hope I can benefit socially as well." | | Abdi Rahman Sudi |
Abdi has two brothers, Idris, aged 21, and 23-year-old Hassan, who are both studying at De Montfort University. His 28-year-old sister Idil works in IT. Posh Eton Eton College, which is on the River Thames near Windsor, has educated 19 British Prime Ministers, as well as a many famous writers and scientists. But about 20 per cent of its 1,290 pupils are given scholarships, which means youngsters from less well off backgrounds can also go there. What does Abdi think? Abdi said he did not think he would find it hard to adapt to life there. He said: “I met some of the pupils when I went to an open day at Eton and they were really polite and friendly. “I’m going there very much for the academic side of things – but I hope I can benefit socially as well.”
Abdi said he would like to go to Cambridge University and work in the field of economics or engineering. Enthusiastic Abdi
Eton College headmaster Tony Little said the most impressive thing about Abdi was his drive and enthusiasm. He said: “He struck us as having an extraordinary determination for a boy of his age.
“Abdi did this all by himself – he looked up all the information on our website and sent off for the application form without much encouragement from other people.”
Most Eton pupils belong to the Church of England. But Mr Little said there were about 20 Muslims at the college and they had a special tutor to help with their religious needs. | 
