A TEENAGE girl who came to the UK as a Syrian refugee with no English has scored top marks in her GCSEs.

Reem Taha Hajj Ahmad and her family moved to Harpenden Road, Aldersbrook, in late 2012, to flee the horrors of the Syrian civil war.

Her father Nizar, who worked as a translator, came to the UK to study for a Masters degree in English back in 2010.

He was not planning to bring his wife Fatima and daughters Reem and Sara with him, but when war broke out in March 2011, did everything he could to ensure their safety.

After the British Embassy in Syria closed, the family had to travel to Lebanon before they were finally granted visas and flew to London in December 2012.

Sixteen-year-old Reem started at Wanstead High School at the end of Year 8, but could hardly speak English.

She said: “All I could say was hello, how are you – I barely spoke any English at all.

“It was pretty challenging, because it’s not just a new language, it’s a whole new culture to get used to as well.”

Reem found the language barrier difficult at first, but started making lots of friends when she joined WHS’ anti-bullying society.

She said: “Making friends was hard, but joining the anti-bullying club really helped me.

“I was trained by a charity to help stop bullying in school and I made friends from other year groups, not just my own.”

Reem added that she was always determined to do well at school, despite her poor English when she arrived.

She said: “It’s my duty to be the best I can be and do the best I possibly can.

“Because you always have to remember there are other people in my position who want to study and have an education but aren’t lucky enough to have the opportunity.

“I took a lot of inspiration from my sister, because she works so hard and always supports me.”

Sara Taha Hajj Ahmad also went to Wanstead High School and was nominated for a London Young People of the Year award for her charity work.

Reem achieved three A*s, four As and 4 B grades in her GCSEs today (Thursday, August 25), including an A* in her native Arabic and maths.

She added: “I am so pleased with my maths grade.

“I was so scared when I saw how high the grade boundaries were, I was convinced I had lost 35 marks, so it’s a great surprise to get an A*.”

Reem is staying at Wanstead High for sixth form and plans to study physics, maths, sociology and art when she starts Year 12 next month.

For GCSE stories from across Wanstead and Woodford, see our results coverage.

Have you got a GCSE related story? Email news editor Anna Slater at aslater@london.newsquest.co.uk.