A sixth-former in Westcliff has made history after becoming the first from her school to be accepted onto a course at Harvard University.

Jemimah Omombo, a Year 13 student at Chase High School Sixth Form, was invited to take part in the Harvard Undergraduate Ventures-TECH Summer Program.

The student, who has ambition to launch her own business to help students maximize their academic potential, completed an application form and went through an interview process, sharing her business aspirations with the American university.

The talented student was offered a $2,000 scholarship to attend the prestigious course.

However, she had to raise an additional ?2,000 herself, securing investment from educational sponsors and through a Go Fund Me page.

Each year, only about 200 students are accepted onto the summer course.

Jemimah said: "One thing I like about Chase is that they make education easy - my future business aims to do the same.

"I want to start a business that helps students to maximise their academic potential, whether that?s by achieving a Grade 4 or a Grade 9.

"I'm a big believer in commoditising high-quality education as it isn't something all students get access to across the country."

Jemimah believes her experience at Harvard will provide invaluable insights into the start-up world, aiding her future business endeavours.

She added: "My experience at Harvard will help me to get hands-on experience by interning at start-ups where I can get a taste of what the early stages of my business might look like and how to successfully navigate it.

"I'll be able to learn firsthand from the mistakes of other successful entrepreneurs and continue my own journey, while studying for my undergraduate this September."

The course will immerse Jemimah in the world of leading start-ups, offering mentorship from world-renowned CEOs, investors, and Harvard faculty.

Emma Mulford, assistant head teacher at Chase High School, expressed her pride in Jemimah's achievement.

She said: "We couldn?t be prouder of Jemimah and all she?s achieved.

"Her determination and hard work have truly paid off, and being the first student from our sixth form to be accepted onto a Harvard course is an incredible milestone.

"She?s an inspiration to us all, and we can?t wait to see what she does in the next stage of her educational journey." (Basildon Canvey Southern Echo, but headline rejigged)

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