Trafford College student in top 3% nationally for maths success

An 18-year-old Trafford College student has achieved one of the highest GCSE maths scores in the country, placing him among the top 3% of achievers nationally.

Amir Sam Sayah Mofazalli (Pictured), who arrived in the UK from Iran just one year ago, scored an outstanding 233 out of 240 in Higher Tier GCSE Maths, an incredible 97%.

In addition to his maths success, Amir also achieved grade 9s in GCSE Biology and Chemistry, and a grade 5 in English. He is now progressing to A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths at Trafford College, with aspirations to study Medicine at the University of Manchester or Cambridge.

Amir’s success is particularly remarkable against the national backdrop. In 2024, just 17.1% of exam entries from students aged 17 or over achieved a grade 4 or higher in maths. This was down slightly from 17.4% in 2023, though still higher than 16.4% in 2022. Amir’s exceptional result far exceeds these averages, making his accomplishment even more impressive.

Reflecting on his journey, Amir explained how he researched colleges in Manchester before moving to the UK and was delighted when he received an acceptance email from Trafford College.

He said: “Science and maths have always come naturally to me, but I was still shocked when I saw how high my maths result was. The teaching and support at Trafford College have been very good, and I am really excited about continuing my studies here.”

David Morgan, Mathematics Lecturer at Trafford and Stockport College Group, praised Amir’s achievement: “Amir’s success is a testament not only to his hard work and talent, but also to the dedication of our teaching staff. His result is truly outstanding and demonstrates the opportunities that Trafford College provides for students to excel, no matter their starting point.”