Students aim for medical careers thanks to assisted places at independent school

Three teenagers are looking ahead to careers in the medical profession thanks to assisted places at one of the best independent schools in the North.

Saffah Farooq, Ans Muhammed and Nouman Zahid are hoping to secure professions in dentistry and medicine thanks to the places at Bradford Grammar School (BGS), which are being sponsored by Sovereign Health Care in Bradford.

Saffah, whose father was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a blood cancer, three years ago, never thought she would end up studying at BGS.

She said: “I was so happy to get a place. I never thought I’d study at a private school and it brought a lot of happiness to all of my family, especially my dad who’s had to endure chemotherapy and has been in and out of hospital.

“My mum encouraged me to keep focused and work hard. I was nervous before joining but the people were really welcoming and the teachers were all nice. You get a lot of support from the teachers to help you succeed, especially if you find something difficult.

“With everything going on with dad it’s made me even more certain that I want a career in medicine.”

Saffah, 17, of Bradford, is studying for A Levels in biology, chemistry, maths and an EPQ (extended project qualification).

Her fellow student Ans, 17, of Huddersfield, joined BGS in Year 12 from Heckmondwike Grammar School and is studying for A Levels in biology, chemistry and RE.

Said Ans: “We were really pleased to get the place. I was nervous about making friends, like you would be at any new school, but the teachers were fantastic, and I had no problems at all settling in.”

Nouman is studying for A Levels in chemistry, physics, biology and maths and joined the school from Dixons City Academy in  Bradford. Nouman has aspirations of becoming a neurological surgeon.

Russ Piper, chief executive at Sovereign Health Care, said: “The Sovereign Assisted Places at BGS are part of our commitment to help improve people’s lives in Bradford and West Yorkshire. By providing this assistance, not only does it give these three young people a tremendous opportunity in their own lives, we are hopeful their chosen careers will make a real difference to many more people in the future. While Sovereign has provided the assistance, the hard work and dedication is all their own and we wish all three the very best as they embark on their final year of A levels.”

Lindsey Davis, development director at BGS, said: “We are so grateful to Sovereign Health Care who have funded these assisted places. They, and many of our Old Bradfordians and other organisations, make a huge difference to the lives of young people by funding assisted places to attend BGS. The places do more than provide access to an outstanding education – they also open up access to a network of supportive peers and alumni. We wish Saffah, Ans and Nouman every success in achieving their dreams and forging fulfilling medical careers.”

Pictured: Saffah Farooq is one of three students to benefit from an assisted place at Bradford Grammar School