Abdulaziz Alkidra, a student at Sefton Sixth Form College, has secured a place at Hull York Medical School after achieving AAB grades in his A-Levels, describing the achievement as a symbol of hope for his family in Gaza.
Arriving at the college, part of Hugh Baird College, nearly an hour before teachers opened the doors for A-Level students to collect their results this morning, the wait proved worthwhile. In the coming weeks, he will move to York to study at the Hull York Medical School.
Achievement as a symbol of hope
Speaking to the ECHO at the college, Abdulaziz said: "This day, this achievement is bigger than just me getting into university, it's a symbol of hope."
"My family's from Gaza, we've been through a lot. To come here, and to finally be able to make my family proud, getting into a university like this, it's something that's very very meaningful to me. Medicine is my meaning in life, I couldn't ask for more."
Growing up in the UAE, Abdulaziz moved to the UK in 2018 and originally studied at King's Leadership Academy Hawthornes before moving to Sefton Sixth Form College for his A-Levels.
Family hardship in Gaza
The ongoing conflict in his dad's home country has weighed heavy on his mind throughout his time at college. He said: "It's really not been easy. It's really not easy, because every other day, there's a whole list of all of my cousins that have passed away due to the conditions over there."
"You listen to the bad news, and you just have to make sure that you keep going, because they've made their sacrifices so I can be here to make them proud, and I can't let them down by giving up when they go through difficulties."
He hopes that the news of his good grades will bring a small glimmer of joy for his family in Gaza. He said: "I'm so happy that I could finally deliver some great news to my family, I think it will mean more to them than it does to me."
Other successes at the college
Abdulaziz was not the only student to walk away with an impressive set of results. His classmate, Manuela Bolivar Perez, whose family are originally from Colombia, also managed to get into her first choice, the University of Sheffield, where she will study Economics after achieving A* A* B.
She told the ECHO: "I've been revising since Year 12, but in Year 13 I really locked in. I really used all my resources, I went to the library, I got advice from teachers, I really did try my best. I'm the first one out of my family to go to university, I can't wait to tell them [what grades I got]."
Another success story at the college was Lucas McNamara, who came away with A* A A. He said: "I'm really happy with myself. I feel like I really put the work in this past year. I haven't really done anything but touch a book, which is probably a bit unhealthy. But I'm happy it paid off to be honest."
Before going off to study Accounting and Finance at the University of Liverpool, his parents are treating him to a nice breakfast before he goes out later to celebrate with his friends in town.
College-wide results
Elsewhere in Sefton, the nearby Hugh Baird College recorded a 100% pass rate across T-level courses, 94.5% pass rate across Level 3 and equivalent courses, and 100% pass rates in 11 subject areas, including Electrical Installation, Engineering, Construction, Beauty Therapy and Health and Social Care.
Rachael Hennigan OBE, principal and chief executive of Hugh Baird College, said: "I am incredibly proud of our students’ exceptional results. These outcomes are a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality technical and vocational education that equips our learners with the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to thrive in their chosen careers."
"We proudly celebrate their achievements and look forward to seeing their continued success as they embark on their professional journeys."
