North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2020 North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2021 North Independent Secondary School of the Year 2021

News

Archives

Miriam dedicates A-level success to dad’s memory

Wednesday 11 August 2021

A Year 13 student, Miriam has dedicated her A-level success to her father, following his death from COVID-19 last year.

The student at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) achieved an A* in Spanish and As in biology and chemistry, bringing her a step closer to her dream of becoming a paediatrician and returning to her native Eritrea to open a clinic in her father’s memory.

Miriam, whose father died in Italy in October, came to Leeds at the age of nine, speaking no English. She will now study medicine at Hull York Medical School with the help of an Academic Excellence Scholarship from her school, a scheme which was introduced this year to help students with the transition from school to university.

She said: “I have always wanted to work with children.  There is something so energetic and optimistic about working with them and, ultimately, I want to go back to Eritrea and do this in my father’s name.”

Miriam, who was head girl at GSAL, arrived in Burmantofts, Leeds, with her mother, brother and sister, speaking her native Tigrinya language and Italian.

She admits that her lack of English made it difficult at first to settle down and make friends, however her aptitude for languages meant that within a few short months she was able to get by. She is now also fluent in French and Spanish.

After picking up her results today (Tuesday August 10), she said: “I’m thrilled. This year has been so difficult for many of us and to have achieved such great results, especially during these unprecedented times has really showed me how far resilience and hard work can go”

Pictured:

Miriam

« All stories

Or, if you prefer to chat to someone please call our admissions team. For Senior School call 0113 228 5121 and for Primary School call 0113 228 5113.