STUDENTS at Trafford College secured a 98 per cent pass rate for A Levels - and two-thirds earned A* to C grades.

One new arrival excelled after joining the establishment’s full-time programme for those just coming to the UK.

Sara Shirkavand, 20, from Iran, gained top marks in biology, chemistry and maths.

She joined the college on a full-time GCSE programme, for new arrivals to the UK looking to gain access to an English education and never looked back.

Sara now plans to continue her education in Manchester by studying for a degree in pharmacy.

The 20-year-old, originally from Iran, said: “Leaving behind my 17 year old life and successful education, I entered a world of changes in the UK without much success transferring what I had learned into English and with little confidence.

“However, when I walked into Trafford College I was accepted in a way that has changed my life.

“I’m so grateful to my second family for what I’ve been able to achieve with their help.”

Helen Wood, assistant principal at the college, said: “We are proud of what every single student within the college has achieved in a year that has been like no other.

“These results are testament to the resilience and tenacity demonstrated by these students, who have adapted incredibly well to the changes in their personal lives and to the way learning has been delivered.

“With the solid pastoral support network we have at Trafford College having been available to guide students on their learning journeys, we are confident of every success in their future endeavours.”

Another pair of students proved that having hearing impairments should not be an impediment to academic success.

Ahmed Darouache had a hearing impairment when he first arrived at the college, He had not even taken a GCSE exam at that point but progressed rapidly through the system to achieve triple starred distinctions in BTEC Engineering and an ‘A’ in A Level maths.

While Ahmed has had to encounter a number of challenges, throughout his studies, and had attended several different school prior to his arrival at the college, his breakthrough came as part of the foundation learning course there, which saw him secure an entry-level IT qualification initially.

From there he took on GCSEs and impressed in both maths and English before going on to undertake his BTEC.

Ahmed, from Old Trafford, said: “Living with a hearing impairment is difficult and I’ve experienced bullying in the past.

“But I can’t thank the support staff and tutors at Trafford College enough for treating me like an adult and going to great lengths to help me access what I needed to learn.

“I’m overwhelmed by my results. My A Level is the first A I have ever got in my life.”

He is the second family member to leave the college with stellar marks after his twin sister Youssra, who also has a hearing impairment, notched up triple starred distinctions for BTEC Health and Social Care last year.

She is going on to read Education and Special Educational Needs at Liverpool Hope University and Ahmed will head to the same city to study architecture.

Ahmed added: “It’s an amazing feeling knowing both of us have got so far with the additional learning needs and hearing difficulties we have. I’d definitely recommend studying at Trafford College to anyone in the same position as us.”

The siblings used a mixture of lip reading combined with hearing aids, which included the use of transmitters worn by tutors, as well as a lot of self study.

Mrs Wood added: “Ahmed goes to show what can be achieved with the opportunities and support Trafford College’s excellent teaching and learning environment provides.

“Ahmed is a shining example of what can be achieved when BTECs and A-Levels are combined, and we are delighted we have been able to help make Ahmed’s and Youssra’s dreams possible to go on to university. We wish them both all the very best in the future.”