Barrow sisters overcome the odds to secure university places

Two sisters who started at Barrow Sixth Form College doing GCSEs are celebrating after achieving six high grade A levels between them and university places.

Vivian and Helen Iroanya started with their GCSEs at the Rating Lane campus and will now be heading to the University of Sheffield and the University of Surrey respectively.

The sisters, who were born in Africa, moved to the UK from Italy three years ago and had their sights set on their dream careers.

Vivian, who gained A, B, B (Biology, Media and Psychology) and will now study a degree in journalism, said:  “I’m so happy with my results and grateful as I’ve won a scholarship for the University of Sheffield.

“My dream job is to work for CNN as a broadcast journalist.

“I’ve worked with CandoFM while at Sixth Form and that has been really helpful and given me an insight into my chosen career.”

Vivian said: “I found it a bit difficult at first, but I’ve really enjoyed my time at college. It has been fantastic and the teachers are great. They’ve really helped me.

“Our family are so happy for us. We’ve manage to achieve so much in a few years.”

Helen gained B, B, C and will go on to study Biomedical Science at the University of Surrey. She started at college soon after arriving in England, and gained GCSEs in English, Maths and Biology before achieving A Levels in Health and Social Care, Biology and Chemistry.

Sue Hannan, Director of Curriculum (Young People’s Learning), who taught Helen Health and Social Care, said: “Helen is so hard-working and determined, with a strong work ethic. She always goes the extra mile to improve her work. She’s so humble and never quite realised how high the quality of her work was.”

Subject Leader of Biology Helen Rastelli, who also taught Helen, added: “Helen was a joy to teach. She’s faced a number of barriers but always persevered. This is such a great achievement for her.”