A bright 16-year-old who has earned a full scholarship to Eton is this week’s Young Citizen Award nominee.

Coming from humble beginnings in Ilford, Muhammad Hamza Shaukat, 16, has achieved so much during his time at Isaac Newton Academy (INA) in Cricklefield Place, Ilford, that he has received a full sixth form scholarship to the prestigious college.

His parents came to the UK from Pakistan in 2010 when Hamza was just nine.

His father, Shaukat Hussain, said: “I thank God for his blessings on my family and also thank the school for all their support they have given Hamza to achieve this.”

Hamza joined Isaac Newton in 2013 and will be sitting his GCSE exams this coming summer.

He decided to apply to Eton College earlier this year.

“My dad was very supportive when I told him I wanted to apply to Eton,” Hamza said.

“I had heard about Eton through the news and knew that 19 prime ministers had attended the college for their education.

“I am really excited about starting there in September.”

Hamza is a school prefect and has served on the INA school council.

After being shortlisted for the scholarship, Hamza was invited to spend four days at Eton and undergo a series of interviews and tests.

“It was an excellent opportunity to get an insight into Eton,” said the 16-year-old.

“The school is more than 500 years old and they had a range of unique testing methods, for example my teamwork skills were assessed in a room which had whiteboards walls and tables, with a two way mirror from which I was observed planning an assembly with three people I had not met before.”

INA principal Rachel Macfarlane described Hamza as “an exemplary role model”.

She added: “He will be a huge asset to Eton College.”

The Recorder/Rotary Young Citizen Award highlights the good things young people in the borough do and is sponsored by The Exchange Shopping Centre, which provides each monthly winner with a £30 gift card.

The Young Citizen of the Year will be crowned at next year’s Mayor’s Community Awards.

You can nominate any person from Redbridge, as long as they are under 25, by emailing lindsay.jones@archant.co.uk.