GCSE case study: Ahmad Salehi

Aspiring surgeon, Ahmad Salehi, 20 from Stanford-le-Hope, arrived in England on his own three years ago in the hope of building a better future for himself and his family, who he sadly had to leave back in his homeland of Iran.

For the last year he has been studying at South Essex College for his GCSEs in Maths and English whilst working as a hairdresser and his hard work has paid off with a grade 5 in maths and grade 4 in English.

A delighted Ahmad, who only had basic English when he arrived in the UK, beamed: “I am so happy that I passed both subjects. I have enjoyed my time at the College in so many ways. The teachers and my new friends have been there all the way, and because I am on my own, their support has meant so much to me. It has given me the opportunity to make my life better and had led to many more opportunities.”

Ahmad is staying at the College to do an Access course prior to beginning his degree.