‘I burst into tears over life-changing bursary’: London’s A-Level success stories

Amera has been living independently and supporting herself with part-time work throughout her studies
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Anna Davis @_annadavis10 August 2021

‘I burst into tears over life-changing bursary’

Amera Badawy from Ark Academy Putney lived independently and supported herself with part-time work throughout her studies. She has been awarded a £50,000 scholarship from Aurum, an investment management firm.

She achieved A*AB in her A-levels and is going to study environmental anthropology at the University of Sussex.

The scholarship will pay for tuition and maintenance fees, and will provide mentoring during her three-year degree and paid work experience. Amera said: “As soon as I found out I burst into tears. My teachers really advocate for me.

“Things have been really difficult for me over the last few years, so this bursary is completely life changing. Long term I want to work with the UN, focusing on how climate change affects ethnic minorities.”

Amera has been living independently and supporting herself with part-time work
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Boy who was homeless achieves top results

Harris Garrard Academy - Christian Sodatonou
Joanne Davidson

Christian Sodatonou was homeless for some of his time at school but went on to score an A* in psychology and As in biology and chemistry.

The student from Harris Garrard Academy in Thamesmead will now study medicine at the University of Sussex.

He moved from Newcastle to London at the beginning of secondary school and from years seven to 10 he was homeless on and off. During this time he went to the library after school every day to study and found this to be not only an escape but also motivation.

In Year 11 he joined the school’s higher ability masterclass.

He said lockdowns have been difficult, but added: “The pandemic has only solidified my passion for studying medicine.”

He hopes to specialise in orthopaedic or reconstructive surgery.

Wimbledon girl serves up ace A-Level grades

Picture of Eliza Brown, A level student from Wimbledon High school
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Eliza Brown from Wimbledon High School is heading to Manchester University to study biochemistry and wants to go into scientific research.

The 18-year-old, who is hearing impaired, got A*s in biology, chemistry and maths plus an extended project qualification.

She has spoken about wearing hearing aids and the problem of background noise, as well as how mask use during Covid has made lip-reading difficult.

As well as her academic success, she has played hockey at county level for Surrey, passed Grade 8 with distinction in saxophone and trumpet and has had research into the serve speed in tennis matches published in a journal. She worked with mentors at the All England Club and IBM to carry out the work. She is her school’s music rep and organised online concerts during lockdown.

Academy stars score family firsts with places

Dorea Nengese has won a place to study Politics and Sociology at the University of Warwick
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London Academy of Excellence Tottenham students Zeynep Celebci and Dorea Nengese are both the first in their families to go to university after achieving top A-level grades.

Zeynep scored four A*s in chemistry, history, maths and psychology and will study law at Worcester College, Oxford. Her interest in the subject grew out of her dual Kurdish and Turkish identities.

Zeynep Celebci’s interest in law grew out of her dual Kurdish and Turkish identities
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Dorea, whose mother is a cleaner, has won a place to study politics and sociology at the University of Warwick. Dorea, pictured, is student president of her school and achieved A*s in English and politics and As in history and psychology.

Jan Balon, headteacher, said: “We are so proud of all of our students who have dealt with the challenges of the past 18 months with such resilience and maturity. They should be exceptionally proud.”

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