Self-belief and the Hoc Age mentality are two things Hamza Sajid took with him to Durham University to study Natural Sciences.

Hamza, who joined BGS in Year 7 on an Assisted Place, said he developed a love of languages while at the school as well as playing on the hockey team and trying his hand at debating. “In my time at BGS, I tried many new things,” he said. “I remember walking into debating society, terrified, in Year 7 and the Japanese club in the little languages room above the rest of the school. I got to go to Spain and experienced a whole new country with a new group of people. There are many, many things I was fortunate enough to take part in during my time at BGS thanks to my Assisted Place, and many gave intangible benefits.”

Hamza was delighted when, after all his hard work, he gained A*s in biology and chemistry and an A in maths on results day. He also did an AS level in French and got an A. “Being around a lot of high achieving people can be very useful as it pushes you to do your best,” he said. “I remember getting a grade 7 in my end of Year 9 chemistry exam. At parents’ evening the teacher said I was a grade 9 student and that I didn’t achieve my potential this time. Moments like that keep you from getting complacent and remind you that you still have untapped potential. “I’m not yet sure what my career will look like, but I’m interested in science, tech and business. I secured work experience at an OB’s eCommerce fulfilment company through school.

It gave me a cross sectional view of the whole operation and I saw behind the scenes of eCommerce. I really value that experience.” On leaving BGS, Hamza said: “the knowledge and the skills are one thing, but the Hoc Age philosophy, the memories and the personal development, are something else altogether. I will take them with me and benefit from them for the rest of my life.”