A young scientist from Ilford County High School has been awarded a scholarship to a prestigious university in Israel.

Vincent Poon, who has just finished his A Levels, left on Sunday with nine other students from across the UK to study at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

He will take part in research projects for three weeks before travelling around Israel.

Head of sixth form Colin Jenkins said: “Vincent is an excellent student. He’s always loved physics and been very good at it, maths as well.

“He took astronomy as an extra GCSE and taught it to the younger boys.

“We are expecting him to do very well in his A Levels. He’s a good all-rounder but he doesn’t blow his own trumpet.”

Vincent was hand-picked by leading professors from University College London and Bristol University for the scholarship.

He will be starting a degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge University in October.

Students are chosen from around the world for the Weizmann summer programme.

Visit www.weizmann.org.uk to apply for next year’s scheme.