Bradford Grammar School student who fled Ukraine war wins place to study law at top university
Oles Kuzomko, 18, only had basic English when he arrived and has had to overcome the death of his father who stayed behind to help in the war effort.
A teenager who fled the Russian invasion of Ukraine four years ago has won a place at Durham University to study law.
Oles Kuzomko, 18, only had basic English when he arrived and has had to overcome the death of his father who stayed behind to help in the war effort.
The Bradford Grammar School (BGS) pupil has achieved an A in history, A in psychology, A in Russian and an A in business in his A-levels, along with an A* in his Extended Project Qualification.
He and his mother fled Kyiv in February 2022 and settled in Silsden, West Yorkshire, that May, having stayed in rural Ukraine and moved through Poland and the Czech Republic.
They settled in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme although his father Roman stayed there and died from sepsis in 2023.
Oles had studied English at school but he was not fluent and could not speak it well when he began his studies in the UK.
But his dedicated studies have paid off at A-level.
He said: “A-levels were a huge step up from GCSEs – there was much more content, the structure was very different and the jump in complexity was pretty steep – but I actually found them more enjoyable in many ways.
“I think the biggest difference was how much I’d developed over the last two years.
“I’d learned how to revise properly, I had much more discipline and I’d accumulated a lot more knowledge, so I felt much more prepared for the challenge.
“I’m excited to see what comes next.”
His mother Mila said: “I’m so proud of him and grateful for the opportunity he’s been given at BGS.
“It was such an important chance and he took it.
“I’m proud of myself too for supporting him through that and it’s been wonderful seeing him grow into such an incredible person.”
Oles wants to stay here, saying: “I can’t really go back to Ukraine because I have nothing and no one left there.
“I want to build my life here and fulfil all the ambitions I have.”
Headteacher Dr Simon Hinchliffe said: “Oles has shown remarkable determination and ambition throughout his time here.
“From adapting to a new country and education system to developing his ambition to study law, Oles has worked exceptionally hard to build a future for himself, and we wish him every success.”