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A Ukrainian refugee has withdrawn from a sixth-form college in the UK after saying she was pressured by staff to study Russian, a request she described as deeply upsetting.
Kateryna Endeberia, 19, arrived in Stoke-on-Trent in 2022 after fleeing Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion. She completed her GCSEs at The Excel Academy in 2023, then undertook a foundation year at City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College before beginning A-levels in economics, politics and statistics.
She said that when she began struggling academically, teachers suggested she switch to studying Russian. Endeberia said this proposal was “hurtful and insensitive,” particularly because her father is currently serving as a soldier in the Ukrainian army. She described the suggestion as a form of discrimination and said it would have been emotionally traumatic for her.
As a result, Endeberia has left the college and is now studying independently using notes from friends. She has registered to take her A-level exams as a private candidate in 2026, which will cost her £1,400.
Speaking to the Guardian, she explained that studying Russian conflicted with her personal values. Born in Donetsk, where the conflict began in 2014, she said the language is closely associated with the war that has affected her family directly.
Although she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study in the UK, which she now considers a third home after Ukraine and the Czech Republic, Endeberia said many people underestimate how difficult it is for Ukrainian students to adjust to a new education system, culture and language after experiencing war.
She also said she felt targeted because of her accent and claimed the college failed to provide additional academic support. Instead, she said, staff repeatedly encouraged her to change subjects rather than offering understanding or assistance.
Endeberia said she has not received clear explanations as to why she was prevented from continuing her chosen A-levels. She has submitted a formal complaint to the Potteries Educational Trust, which manages the college, and plans to escalate the issue to Ofsted if necessary.
In response, a spokesperson for City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College said the institution is committed to supporting students and follows established procedures to address complaints, but declined to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality.
The issue reflects broader concerns raised by Ukraine, which has previously urged the UK government to allow displaced teenagers to study GCSE Ukrainian. There have been reports that Ukrainian students are often encouraged to study Russian instead, as many already have some familiarity with the language.
In December 2024, Ukraine’s education minister, Oksen Lisovyi, warned the UK education secretary that teaching Russian could retraumatise around 27,000 Ukrainian children who fled the invasion. The children’s commissioner for England has also called for the reintroduction of a Ukrainian GCSE.
Exam board AQA has said it is considering developing a GCSE in Ukrainian, though the process is expected to take several years.
