WHEN refugee Majed Zaiter fled war-torn Syria he couldn’t speak English.
But arriving in Darlington he picked up the language in his first year and has now celebrated securing a successful brace of GCSE results.
The 16-year-old was just six when he had to flee his Damascus home with his family because of the al-Assad regime but since then he has flourished at Carmel College.
“When the war started it was too dangerous to stay with bombs going off everywhere and the fear of arrest,” he said. “We managed to get a bus to Lebanon and then the UN helped us come to Darlington.”
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Preparing to start the next stage of his education by taking A Levels in biology, chemistry and physics Majed plans to study medicine with a view to being a doctor.
“I love England and would be happy to work here as a doctor but I would return to my home if al-Assad was to leave,” he said.
The constant fear of deportation was no barrier to success for Aiswarya Jose, of Darlington.
Her parents came to the country from Krala, India, on student visas more than ten years ago but are in constant negotiations with the UK government to stay permanently.
“It has been a worry,” said the 16-year-old, who collected her results with her mum Lovely. “My dad became ill and we were homeless and we had to live in a convent for three years. Deportation was a worry so I am very pleased to pass my GCSEs.”
Carmel College principal Mike Shorten said: “We are all so proud of the students. It is always a privilege to be able to celebrate their success with their families. It has been a tough year and the students and staff have worked so hard, showed resilience and can now rest knowing it has all been worthwhile.”
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