One of the brightest Gambian teenagers in the United Kingdom has bagged a £76,000 (D4.8m) scholarship to attend a popular British boarding school.

Sukai Secka, who is 15 years old, will take her place at Cranleigh School in Surrey to study A ‘Levels in English Language, Literature, Politics and History next academic year, which starts in September 2019.

According to media reports, the Gambian teenager was supported through her application process by the Eastside Young Leaders Academy – an organisation that enables young people from disadvantaged communities to do well at school and go on to become transformational leaders and global citizens.

Sukai was offered a place at Cranleigh School after coming through a gruelling series of assessments and interviews.

She said: “I can’t wait to get to my new school and start shaking things up a little bit. It is a very white and middle/upper-class environment.”

“I am also different to them because I grew up in east London which is quite a tough place and has lots of diversity.

“The reason I think they accepted me was because I offer a very different perspective on life to their current students.

“Everyone should know how to mix with a diverse range of people.”

Sukai wants to become a politician.