Achieving good A-level results is difficult for anyone. It requires hard-work, dedication and serious studying and is an achievement that should not be taken lightly.
However, for some students, obtaining their grades and place at university has been even more of a challenge.
These five students who beat the odds with their A-level results, overcoming challenges and not letting anything stand in their way.
5 Students Who Overcame The Odds With Their A-level Results
Georgina Morris (01 of05)
18-year-old Georgina Morris achieved an impressive total of four A-levels; of two A*s in Biology and Extended Project and two As in Chemistry and Maths.
What makes her story particularly inspiring is that she achieved this despite the death of her father from terminal cancer, her grandmother passing away whilst she was studying for her GCSEs and her own cancer scare whilst studying for her A-levels.
The loss of her father has motivated Georgina to pursue a career as a doctor and she is now going on to study Medicine at the University of St Andrews.
Georgina commented: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I’m just delighted that I’ve finally managed to come to the end of this journey and make my dad proud.” (credit:PA)
What makes her story particularly inspiring is that she achieved this despite the death of her father from terminal cancer, her grandmother passing away whilst she was studying for her GCSEs and her own cancer scare whilst studying for her A-levels.
The loss of her father has motivated Georgina to pursue a career as a doctor and she is now going on to study Medicine at the University of St Andrews.
Georgina commented: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I’m just delighted that I’ve finally managed to come to the end of this journey and make my dad proud.” (credit:PA)
Alfie Denness(02 of05)
Alfie is the first of his family to go to university after securing three A*s in Geography, English Literature and Sociology and an A in History. He is off to the prestigious Cambridge University to study History and hopes to one day go into Politics.
Alfie received a sixth form bursary which has supported his studies allowing him to buy revision books and pay for school trips. At university, he will benefit from a bursary of from the Reuben Scholarship Programme.
Alfie said: “It was a relief because it was quite stressful. I knew that I would get some of the grades, but some of the subjects could be subjectively marked, so I was a bit nervous that I had let myself down on at least one of them on the day.
"My Mum said she was very proud because of all the work that I put in and she thought I deserved it. All the teachers I had were really good, I couldn’t have done it without them.” (credit:Ark Sixth Form East Sussex)
Alfie received a sixth form bursary which has supported his studies allowing him to buy revision books and pay for school trips. At university, he will benefit from a bursary of from the Reuben Scholarship Programme.
Alfie said: “It was a relief because it was quite stressful. I knew that I would get some of the grades, but some of the subjects could be subjectively marked, so I was a bit nervous that I had let myself down on at least one of them on the day.
"My Mum said she was very proud because of all the work that I put in and she thought I deserved it. All the teachers I had were really good, I couldn’t have done it without them.” (credit:Ark Sixth Form East Sussex)
Maan Al-Yasiri (03 of05)
Maan was planning to skip university altogether and start working after finishing his A levels; now, he is set to study History and Politics at Oxford University after getting an A in English, an A in History and a B in Economics.
Originally from Iraq, Maan was born in Syria where his family was living to escape political persecution. One of his uncles spent time in Abu Ghraib prison for opposing the Saddam regime.
Maan changed his mind towards university after speaking to Sara Khoshnaw, also from Iraq who went on to study Medicine at Cambridge.
He said: “When I talked to Sara about her experiences, she told me that when she was growing up, she had never imagined that she’d go to Cambridge. That made me realise that Oxford could be an option for me, that it was possible.” (credit:Ark Putney Academy)
Originally from Iraq, Maan was born in Syria where his family was living to escape political persecution. One of his uncles spent time in Abu Ghraib prison for opposing the Saddam regime.
Maan changed his mind towards university after speaking to Sara Khoshnaw, also from Iraq who went on to study Medicine at Cambridge.
He said: “When I talked to Sara about her experiences, she told me that when she was growing up, she had never imagined that she’d go to Cambridge. That made me realise that Oxford could be an option for me, that it was possible.” (credit:Ark Putney Academy)
Jacob Lewis(04 of05)
Jacob didn't let being homeless stop him from achieving four A*s at A-level and securing a place at Cambridge University.
22-year old Jacob from Cardiff was left homeless after a fall out with his family. Not long after he lost his zero-hour contract job at a night club when he asked to take time off for his exams.
His college supported him with travel and living expenses, allowing him to take his exams and achieve his four A* in History, Law, Sociology and the Welsh Baccalaureate.
Jacob commented: “I’m absolutely delighted with my results and I hope this shows Welsh students that with hard work and dedication this can be done and dreams can come true."
22-year old Jacob from Cardiff was left homeless after a fall out with his family. Not long after he lost his zero-hour contract job at a night club when he asked to take time off for his exams.
His college supported him with travel and living expenses, allowing him to take his exams and achieve his four A* in History, Law, Sociology and the Welsh Baccalaureate.
Jacob commented: “I’m absolutely delighted with my results and I hope this shows Welsh students that with hard work and dedication this can be done and dreams can come true."
Connor Rice(05 of05)
State-school student Connor Rice is on his way to Harvard after receiving straight A*s in his A-levels. Two years ago he declined a scholarship offer from Eton College, opting to go to Landau Forte College in Derby instead.
He told the Derby Telegraph: "I immediately felt out of place, being the only state-school applicant there. Some students were hugely interested in my background, whilst others weren't so welcoming,"
Connor is looking forward to going on to study a four year liberal arts and science bachelor programme at the Harvard, funded by a scholarship.
He told the Derby Telegraph: "I immediately felt out of place, being the only state-school applicant there. Some students were hugely interested in my background, whilst others weren't so welcoming,"
Connor is looking forward to going on to study a four year liberal arts and science bachelor programme at the Harvard, funded by a scholarship.