Daughter of immigrants becomes first state school pupil to win individual prize in Eton debate (Details, pics)

The daughter of an immigrant family from one of Britain's poorest areas has become the first state school student to win the individual prize at an Eton debating competition.

Selina Begum, 16, was crowned best debater at the prestigious Eton Autumn Invitational, after beating off competition from 200 other pupils.

The majority of the other entrants studied at top independent schools including Eton College, Winchester College and Westminster.

Selina beat her rivals in motion debates on junk food and rights to privacy, before giving a prepared argument on the abolition of the death penalty in the US. The student is studying A-level in maths, economics, politics and history at Newham Collegiate Sixth Form and hopes to study history at Oxford.

She currently lives in Manor Park, east London, with her parents, where her mother is a full-time carer to her disabled father.

Speaking after the win, Selina said her sixth form's dedicated debate coordinator Jerome Singh was the key to her success.

'It was intimidating,' she said. 'The students from Eton and the other independent schools were so confident. They got up and spoke without notes and seemed like they had been doing it all their lives.'

But Mr Singh told me not to be scared, that my arguments were just as well thought out.'

Selina said she had taken part in debate before, but never at that level.

'Nothing on this scale - not against pupils from schools like Eton,' she said.'

It makes me so happy to realise that, despite my background, I can compete with pupils at these types of schools. Particularly as they will be who I am up against when try to get into Oxford.

'Being at this sixth form really opens your eyes to the world outside east London. The things that you didn't think you could do, you quickly realise you actually can.'

Newham Collegiate Sixth Form hit the headlines last summer when their former City Lawyer headteacher Mouhssin Ismail helped 95 per cent students win places at Russell Group Universities.

He said: 'When I spoke to journalists last summer, I said there was no reason why a pupil from East Ham couldn't compete with those at Eton.'

Not only are our students competing with these students they are actually now beating them.' There has been lots of talk about the lack of state school students going to Oxbridge but this year we are aiming to send at least 20.

'If you give the students the right opportunities - like the chance to debate with and beat students from Eton - then there are places available. We have proved that.'