But a Holmes Chapel Comprehensive family whose son has a full scholarship at the world's most prestigious school, have really raised the bar.  

Oliver Furgala holds a coveted Orwell Award at Eton College, the £66,000-a-year boarding school in Windsor which royalty, aristocracy, and the world's business elite all dream will mould their male heirs.  

Former pupils include princes William and Harry, prime ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson, actors Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston, and of course, the writer George Orwell, who lends Oliver’s scholarship its name. 

Eton's academic performance is well and truly off the scale, with teachers (or beaks, in the school jargon) celebrated for their uncanny ability to turn their pupils' true passions into illustrious careers. 

“One of the biggest advantages of being here is the scope your mind is exposed to,” the 17-year-old said. 

“There is much more open-mindedness here than at state school. 

Oliver says the academic demands at Eton were 'a bit of a jump' but they are helping him get much more out of his A-Level subjects (Image: Eton College) “Some of the people here are just so inspiring.

"You see what you want to be more like, and you try to improve yourself.”

Orwell Awards are given to 12 sixth form entry applicants each year, based on academic potential, who would not otherwise benefit from a top tier independent school education.    

Oliver was born in Chicago and moved to Poland as a baby, before finally settling in Crewe with his mum and sister at the age of six.

He took 11 GCSEs at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, almost all at grade nine, and it was his computer science teacher who pushed him toward taking a punt on Eton.  

Oliver applied via the school's website, and the usual £400 application fee was waived. 

He and mum, Paulina Grabania, were invited down for three days, which included six interviews with teachers of his A-level subjects (history, physics, and maths) plus three separate entrance exams.

Oliver and his mum, Paulina Grabania, when she went down attend his house concert in June (Image: Eton College) “The interviewers were really nice and supportive,” Oliver added.

“They wanted to see my strengths, not expose my weaknesses.”

Oliver and Paulina got sperate emails informing them of his success, which they opened together over the phone.

Asked how his mum felt about his leaving home at just 16, he said: “She was more concerned about it than I was. 

“She had to think about whether this was the right thing for us to do, but now, we both really like it.

“It’s not too bad. The longest I’ve been here without going home is three weeks.

“It’s pretty nice because you get your own room. Some people have ensuites.”

Oliver had not been at Eton long before he realised a £66,000-a-year scholarship comes with certain expectations. He is required to bring his A-game to everything he does. 

Oliver says his new Eton College are not unlike his Holmes Chapel Comprehensive pals: 'Everyone's people, right?' (Image: Eton College) “Academically, it has been a huge leap up," he added.

“But I’ve reflected on it, and I think it’s a good thing.

“The expectations are very high, but it shapes you as a human being.

“You learn to hold yourself to a higher standard.

“I don’t think there are many schools as competitive as Eton, but it’s quite natural for me.

“The fact I have to work so hard has made me enjoy the subjects more.

“It’s very cool to do really hard things, get through them, and flourish. It’s really rewarding.

“We also get a lot of time to fill up however we want.

“But what ends up happening is, you take so many extracurriculars you don’t have much time left for anything else.”

Alongside schoolwork, Oliver has thrown himself into Eton’s staggering after school offering, including rowing, and learning to play the organ. 

“Rowing is pretty big commitment," he said.

"It’s pretty much every day after lessons, and after lunch.

“You get on your bike and cycle to Dorney Lake, which is owned by the school. We have it all to ourselves.

“My cardio has got a lot better.”

Oliver has another year at Eton, but what comes next?

“The dream is to go to Oxford, but it is very competitive,” he added.

“I will have to work hard and see what happens.

“I’m still in touch with my old school friends. When I got in here, I told one of them I’d be going to Eton, but he didn’t know what it was.

“He thought I said ‘eating’. He was like, ‘eating what?’

“But they think it’s cool.

"I wish they could visit, but it’s so far. I want someone to visit at some point.

“They’re not so different to the guys here. Maybe these guys' families have more things, but that’s about it.

“Everyone’s people, right?”