7:50am Thursday 2nd September 2010
A 13-year-old boy from Homefield School in Sutton has won a record breaking five scholarships to some of South London's top schools.
Omar Malik is believed to have won more scholarships than any other boy at the school in its 140 year history.
He was awarded three scholarships to Trinity School in Croydon, and one each at Emmanuel School in Clapham and Dulwich College.
The scholarships were awarded in subjects as diverse as art and design, maths, science and sports.
His mum, Kauser Malik, said: “We applied to several schools because we couldn't decide and we thought whichever school he gets a scholarship for we will send him too.
“We only applied for sports, art and design technology scholarships and were surprised when he was awarded the academic scholarships as well.
“Everyone applying to those schools sits an entrance exam and interview and, for the academic scholarships, the ones who get the highest scores get the scholarships.
“Most people only get one or, if they are lucky, two”
In the end Omar, from Wimbledon, has chosen to go to Dulwich College.
Mrs Malik said: “It was quite difficult to chose so in the end I let him decide.
“He chose Dulwich because he plays badminton and his badminton coach recommended it to him.
“Also, he loves art and they have good art and design technology facilities and they have their own art gallery.
“Hopefully he will be happy there.”
Mrs Malik puts Omar's success down, in part, to the discipline he has learned playing badminton.
She said: “He started playing badminton when he was four years old and has been playing for Surrey since he was eight.
“Sport and art are his relaxation because they are his passion.
“He would love to do well in sport and play for England in rugby or badminton – but he has to keep the study up too”
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