A-level results: Tottenham teen on her way to Cambridge

Mellisa Cifci is the first Haringey Sixth Form Centre pupil to go to either Oxford or Cambridge. Picture: David Tothill

by Flora Drury Thursday, August 16, 2012
4:12 PM

A Tottenham teenager is celebrating after being the first pupil from her college to be accepted to Cambridge.

Haringey Sixth Form Centre student Melissa Cifci was accepted to study politics, psychology and sociology at the world-renowned university after getting a host of top grades.

Melissa set her heart on Cambridge after discovering a passion for politics.

“I am very excited. Everyone is just excited,” said the delighted 19-year-old.

But it is not just the Roundway resident - who achieved an A* in law, As in politics and history and a B in English - who is over the moon.

Principal June Jarrett was smiling from ear-to-ear after getting Haringey Sixth Form Centre’s first pupil into an Oxbridge university.

She said: “We were set up to raise aspiration [in Tottenham] and we do feel we have achieved that. Not only has Melissa got into Cambridge, it has not been easy for her.

“She has actually done it over three years. She started doing AS-levels she did not really enjoy, and we allowed her to more-or-less start again.”

Melissa is not the college’s only success story, though. Ms Jarrett added: “We have only been open five years and we have a 97 per cent overall pass rate, 77pc at higher grade - that’s up on last year so we are really, really pleased.”

It seems certain Melissa will not be the last person at Haringey Sixth Form Centre, in White Hart Lane, to go to one of the country’s top universities. She certainly believes others will follow in her footsteps.

“Anyone can go to Oxford or Cambridge, honestly,” she said. “You just have to have a genuine interest in a subject. All they really want from you is potential and a passion for your subject.”