Layla Saleemi: “Christ the King taught me the importance of education… the teachers believed in me.”

After studying a BTEC Extended Diploma in Business at Christ the King, Layla progressed to university to study a degree in International Relations and Politics at the prestigious Queen Mary University of London.

Layla spoke to our Alumni Team about how Christ the King gave her a fresh start.

“I finished at Christ the King with 100% attendance and good grades thanks to my teachers and the people I surrounded myself with.”

Layla also spoke about adjusting to life at university. Here’s what she had to say:

“Before joining Christ the King I had taken a gap year. Sixth form life taught me the importance of education and how without it you have no real security in life,” she said. “The teachers at Christ the King believed in me and that gave me the encouragement to go further than I had imagined possible.”

“The jump from sixth form to university life has been challenging as you are completely independent. In sixth form you have a more direct relationship with your tutor or your teacher, however at university you do not even put your name on your work, you write your role number as it’s taboo to have a connection with your seminar teacher or lecturer.

“I am proud that I am a Christ the King alumni and now a student at a Russell Group university. I feel honoured and privileged” she said.

“Due to my education, a lot of doors have opened for me. After I have graduated from university I would enjoy either going into journalism or working as an ambassador.”