A-levels joy for Afghan student

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A 16-year-old Afghan boy who only spoke broken English when he arrived in the UK four years ago has achieved three A grades at A-level.

What is more Zubaidullah Kousha sat the exams in maths, physics and chemistry two years earlier than many of his counterparts in his home of Swansea.

The Year 11 Pentrehafod Comprehensive School pupil now plans on taking a further four A-levels at college.

Zubaid said his parents were "very proud" of his results.

But he said his elder brother Obaid who arrived in the UK at the same time had done even better last year.

"The results are quite good, my parents are very happy, but my brother had much better results than me," he said.

Last year, Obaid earned six Grade As at A-Level, even though he still had one year to go before going on to fulfil his dream of studying medicine at Oxford.

His two sisters are studying pharmacy.

Zubaid's elder brother Obaid achieved six grade As

Zubaid achieved three grade As at AS Level in 2007.

He is planning to take four more A-Levels at Gorseinon College from September, in philosophy, geology, biology and Persian language.

After that he is not sure what the future holds.

"For now I think I'd like to do medicine, but that might change. Definitely something to do with science though."

Zubaid said in Afghanistan he had attended schools, which had been set up by the UN, where they would share one book between 10 to 20 pupils.

"To me, coming to Britain, it was a top class education and I really wanted to make the most of everything that offered."

Of school he said: "It is quite enjoyable, definitely some of my teachers are behind all that I have done, my whole family has supported me as well.

"With the A-Levels, I worked hard and I knew if I did that I would get As. I am very happy with the results."

Senior assistant head at Pentrehafod Comprehensive School, Lesley Davies said: "We're totally delighted with him.

"It is well-deserved and we're very, very proud of him. He's a very hard worker and these results are testament to that.

"We wish him very well for the future and its a very promising future he has ahead of him."