A WAR refugee who came to Bolton unable to speak or read English has aced his GCSE exams.

Moaz Alkhaiat and his parents and five siblings were given sanctuary in the UK just as he was to start his secondary education.

Now 16, he received a place at Essa Academy School, in Great Lever, where he excelled ­— and on results day achieved 9s,8s 7s in all his subjects.

Moaz said at first found it really hard to learn and to understand his school work, but after five years of studying and putting in the time and effort into his education, he says he has made himself and his parents proud.

He added he feels so grateful to have received the results he worked so hard for.

Moaz said: “I feel very very grateful. I came to England and I couldn’t read or speak English, but the school have been supportive.

“I have worked really hard, day and night, and as a result I have done really well. I’m so happy and proud of my results.”

His family say he has worked really hard to get his grades, by studying everyday, and is now a fluent speaker of the English language, gaining a grade 9.

Moaz studied sport, combined science, arabic, English literature, geography, art and design, mathematics, English language and computer science; gaining some of the highest grades possible.

Mohe Aldeen Alkhaiat, Moaz’s father, said he is really proud of his son.

He said: “All of our family came from Syria to escape from the war and today we are happy.

“Me and my family are proud of Moaz, he was fighting everyday to do well and to get the best grades.”

Talking about his future plans, Moaz will go on to study chemistry, biology and maths at Runshaw College in Leyland, Preston, from September.

And long term ambitions include going onto Imperial College London University to study medicine. Moaz and his dad, Mohe Aldeen, want to thank the teachers at Essa Academy for their support over the years. And Moaz said he would miss the school, which has been supportive.