A* bursary students celebrate securing Oxford University places

A teenager who grew up on a Bradford council estate before securing an assisted place at one of the top independent schools in the North is celebrating after achieving 3 A* in his A Levels and a dream place at Oxford University.

Blaine Thomas, 18, who lived on the Canterbury estate until he was 14, was able to join Bradford Grammar School (BGS) in the sixth form thanks to an assisted place established in the memory of the late Sir Ken Morrison, of Morrisons supermarkets fame, who was a former BGS pupil.

Head Boy Blaine, who has since moved to Clayton, Bradford, is heading to Oxford University to study Law after gaining A* across the board in English Literature, History and Politics.

Said Blaine: “I am over the moon with my results! Even though I didn’t get the chance to sit the exams, I am glad that my hard work has paid off in the end. I can’t wait for Oxford!

“I’ve wanted to go to Oxford University since I visited the city when I was 11 years old, but I never thought when I lived on a council estate, that I’d ever get to go. Studying the law has always been close to my heart and it’s definitely the career I want to pursue.

“I grew up in a single parent family and my younger brother, Ramone, nine, now says he wants to follow in my footsteps. I’m committed to help him follow his dreams, like so many people have helped me. He sees the value of hard work and he says he wants to be a lawyer too.

“I’m truly grateful for the benefactors who allow students like myself to make the most of the opportunities that BGS offers.”

Blaine will be joined at Oxford by Danyal Akhtar who gained 3 A* and an A. Danyal, 18, of Undercliffe, Bradford, also a bursary student, is Deputy Head Boy, and equally as thrilled with his results and looking forward to attending Oxford to study History.

Headmaster Dr Simon Hinchliffe, said: “We’re so pleased for Blaine and Danyal. Their results are richly deserved. A good education can transform the prospects of young people which is why we strive to help as many as possible. Only with the support of partners, including existing and prospective benefactors, are we be able to make a difference to children of great potential who are keen to attend BGS.”