‘THE SUPPORT PUT IN PLACE HAS MEANT MY CONDITION HASN’T PREVENTED ME FROM ACHIEVING MY GOALS’
A fiercely determined A Level student from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE), Darlington, who has refused to allow his medical condition to impact his education, is celebrating after having secured a place at one of the country’s most prestigious universities. 18-year-old Sam Beukenholdt, from Darlington, has achieved 4 outstanding A* grades in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics and will head to Imperial College, London, to study Chemical Engineering. ‘I am absolutely delighted with my results and can’t wait to start university in September’, he explains. Sam, who joined QE from Hummersknott Academy, was born with albinism, a condition which affects skin pigmentation and causes severe visual impairment. ‘The support put in place by the College has meant my condition hasn’t prevented me from achieving my goals’, Sam continues. ‘The staff have gone above and beyond to ensure I have been able to access lessons and resources, whether it be enlarged worksheets or personalised exam arrangements’, he says.
Vicky Wilkinson, Head of Additional Learning Support at QE, describes Sam as ‘a talented scholar who refuses to let his visual impairment restrict his ambition or achievements.’ Sam’s albinism hasn’t stopped him from pursuing a hugely impressive degree and his lifelong love of sciences. The Chemical Engineering course will see him develop his skills at cutting-edge laboratories and study modules on Biotechnology, giving Sam the opportunity to play an instrumental role in the development of future vaccines.
Sam’s determination to write his future has seen him obtain his own work experience placement with leading global chemical company, Venator. During the placement, he learnt about the purification of titanium dioxide, used throughout everyday life, and shadowed engineers at work to obtain an insight into his future career. Outside of college, Sam has continued to make waves by competing in the Scottish National Swimming Championships. Taking place at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh, Sam took part in the 50m freestyle race alongside Olympians in the open men’s category. He adds: ‘I find that sport is brilliant for your mental health and it was amazing to share the pool with Olympic athletes. During exam season, I often used swimming to take a break from revision and I’m hoping to pick it back up again at university’.
Vicky concludes: ‘Throughout his time at QE, Sam has shown exceptional levels of independence and determination. We are incredibly proud of Sam and wish him every success in the future – he will undoubtedly go on to achieve great things.’
