 A teenager who was the sole carer for his mum in a council flat is thriving at Eton after a 'tough' start to life at the prestigious school. Ilyan Benamor, 17, told Metro.co.uk that the 'grandiose' setting is a world apart from his east London roots but 'feels like home now'. Ilyan, who landed his place through an £80,000 scholarship, has returned home for the summer break after completing his first year. Having been the sole full-time carer for his mum, Laila Chikhaoui, after she was diagnosed with cancer when he was aged nine, his background is in sharp contrast to many of the illustrious school's affluent pupils. But the Etonian has made many friends and is even looking to life after higher education, possibly leading a charity for disabled people. 'At first it was tough, there's no getting around it,' he said. Ilyan is proud of his Algerian heritage and gave a talk about Ramadan at an Eton assembly (Picture: Ilyan Benamor) 'It's a new environment and it's so grandiose. I was taken aback by the scale of it. All the scholarship boys struggled quite a bit in the first few weeks of term, it was quite mentally draining. 'But the by the time of the second and third terms it was a lot of fun. 'I've made so many friends and met so many cool and interesting people and joined so many cool and interesting societies that it just feels like home now. I take pride in the fact I go to Eton and it's just been great.' Illyan juggled caring for his mum with homework for 11 GCSEs at their home in Stratford, one of the most deprived areas of London. He nevertheless landed stellar results including four nines, the equivalent of A stars, in English literature, French, business and RE at Forest Gate Community School in Newham. The star pupil also had to attend a three-day assessment at Eton as part of his application. He is now){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A teenager who was the sole carer for his mum in a council flat is thriving at Eton after a ‘tough’ start to life at the prestigious school.
Ilyan Benamor, 17, told Metro.co.uk that the ‘grandiose’ setting is a world apart from his east London roots but ‘feels like home now’.
Ilyan, who landed his place through an £80,000 scholarship, has returned home for the summer break after completing his first year.
Having been the sole full-time carer for his mum, Laila Chikhaoui, after she was diagnosed with cancer when he was aged nine, his background is in sharp contrast to many of the illustrious school’s affluent pupils.