Two Ukrainian students who arrived in the United Kingdom without any knowledge of English have achieved outstanding results in their GCSE English examinations. Zlata Byrsan and Elizabeth Horbatenko, both 16, fled their hometown of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine in 2022 following the Russian invasion.

The girls were awarded full scholarships to attend Roedean School in Brighton shortly after their arrival. Since then, they have not only learned to speak English fluently but also excelled academically. In their recent GCSE exams, Zlata earned the highest possible grade 9 in both English literature and English language. Elizabeth achieved a grade 8 in English literature and a grade 7 in English language.

Zlata currently resides in Horsham, West Sussex, with her mother and brother, while her father remains in Ukraine. Reflecting on her journey, she attributed her success to finding supportive friends and overcoming her initial shyness to practice speaking English, emphasizing the importance of making mistakes as part of learning the language.

Elizabeth lives in Henfield, West Sussex, and described her early days in England as feeling “out of place.” She expressed pride in her academic progress and shared plans to pursue A-level studies and eventually attend university in the UK.

Their achievements highlight the resilience and adaptability of young refugees adjusting to new environments under challenging circumstances. Both girls have successfully integrated into their educational setting while mastering a new language and culture in a relatively short period.