The Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Refugee Students in UK Schools

In the wake of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, many refugees have sought safety in different parts of the world, including the UK. One such story is that of Kateryna Endeberia, a Ukrainian refugee who faced significant challenges while trying to integrate into the British education system. Her experience highlights the complexities and emotional turmoil that many young students endure during these trying times.

Background: A New Home Amidst Turmoil

Kateryna Endeberia relocated to Stoke-on-Trent in 2022, escaping the violence stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. After successfully completing her GCSEs at The Excel Academy in 2023, Kateryna enrolled in a foundation year at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College (SFC). She pursued subjects such as economics, politics, and statistics, hoping to build a future for herself.

Pressure to Study Russian

Despite her aspirations, Kateryna encountered significant obstacles during her studies. When she began struggling with her coursework, she was advised by teachers to switch to studying Russian. Given her background—her father is a soldier fighting against the invasion—she found this suggestion to be not only distressing but also deeply offensive.

“Studying Russian is against my personal principles. I was born in Donetsk, where the war started in 2014. It’s not a language I want to speak or study,” Kateryna expressed.

Feeling discriminated against, she decided to withdraw from SFC and continue her education independently, relying on notes shared by friends. Kateryna also plans to sit for A-level exams privately in 2026, at a cost of £1,400.

The Struggles of Integration

Kateryna’s journey wasn’t just about adapting academically; she also faced challenges related to her identity and experiences. Struggling with her A-level courses, she felt isolated and bullied, primarily due to her accent. Instead of receiving the needed support, she felt pressured to shift her focus to Russian studies, which further aggravated her feelings of alienation.

“Rather than offering empathy or help, they insisted that I change subjects. No one tried to understand how painful this experience was for me,” she noted, expressing her concerns about the lack of support from the college.

Seeking Resolution

Determined not to let this situation silence her, Kateryna has begun a formal complaints process through the Potteries Educational Trust, which oversees SFC. She intends to elevate her case to Ofsted once the initial complaints process is completed.

A Broader Issue

Kateryna’s experience is not isolated. The Ukrainian government has advocated for the rights of teenage refugees to have the option to study for a GCSE in Ukrainian, rather than being pressured into learning Russian. This has become a pressing issue, especially considering that teaching Russian can retrigger traumatic memories for around 27,000 displaced children who have fled the violence of the conflict.

In December 2024, Ukraine’s education minister, Oksen Lisovyi, met with the UK education secretary to discuss these pressing concerns. Furthermore, the children’s commissioner in the UK has urged the government to reintroduce a GCSE in Ukrainian. AQA, the exam board, has also indicated it is considering developing a GCSE for the Ukrainian language, although this initiative may take some time to be realized.

Conclusion

Kateryna Endeberia’s journey underscores the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees as they navigate a new educational landscape while coping with the scars of war. Her story is a call for greater empathy and understanding within educational institutions to support not just academic growth, but also the emotional well-being of displaced students.

• Kateryna Endeberia, a Ukrainian refugee, withdrew from her sixth-form college due to pressure to study Russian.
• She found this suggestion insensitive, given her father’s role as a soldier in the ongoing conflict.
• Kateryna is pursuing A-levels privately, while advocating for more support for Ukrainian students in the UK education system.
• The need for a GCSE in Ukrainian has been emphasized to address the unique challenges faced by displaced children.