*Guest post, ad feature* This is a guest post by Barbara Njau
Although today many schools have made huge strides in helping neurodivergent students and autistic learners, some students still face challenges. Being forced to follow the rigid academic pace of mainstream school, which can sometimes be too fast. Sitting amongst students who sometimes don’t understand how to help or relate. Facing well-meaning teachers who simply don’t know how to help.
Struggling in mainstream education as a young boy:
Ibrahim Samedi faced these obstacles when he was in Secondary school just a few years ago. Being a young autistic boy with ADHD and anxiety, Secondary school was challenging, and although his school did its best to support him, he ultimately left school with just 2 GCSE Grades. Yet when he started College last year, he was determined to pass his English GCSE Exams. Despite juggling a tough study schedule and adapting to a new College environment, with the help of his mother and teaching support assistants, he decided to join First Rate Tutors’ weekly GCSE English tuition classes online. With consistent, regular practice, online group tuition and weekly homework – Ibrahim discovered that when he learned and practiced at his own pace outside the structured and often pressure-filled school environment, he went from struggling to process English to thriving and just this summer – he passed his GCSE English exams:
Becoming a published teenage author:
In fact, Ibrahim who became a published author in July 2026, documented these challenges that he faced in school in his book “Mainstream Education: My Journey As An Autistic Boy”, yet far from being a criticism of the education system, he decided to add powerful recommendations for schools and educators on how they can support autistic children in Secondary School as well as College.
Five lessons Ibrahim’s journey can teach us all:
As his former GCSE English tutor at First Rate Tutors, I found Ibrahim’s journey powerful and inspiring. Seeing his journey starting online group class tuition with little grounding in English to not only passing, getting a GCSE qualification but becoming a published author, Ibrahim is an inspiration. Indeed, his journey offers three powerful lessons:
1) Autistic learners are gifted and talented however we must allow them to develop and express these gifts at their own pace: Ibrahim followed his own journey and he is now excelling in College.
2) Independent learning and practice outside of school is something we all embrace: Ibrahim followed my weekly classes every Sunday and set his own study routine that worked for him. This helped him play to his strengths.
3) Trust the process and don’t compare your journey to others: Ibrahim especially inspired me with his optimistic, can-do attitude. Rather than comparing himself to his peers at school, he focused on his own wins weekly and built on them – rather than being distracted by comparing himself to others, he focused on his journey to success.
Need help with GCSE English?
If your child is in Year 9, 10 or 11 and struggles with GCSE English – perhaps they are neurodivergent, I would encourage you to share Ibrahim’s journey with them. If you are also seeking support, I run accessible group classes every Sunday and I have also put together a free GCSE English Paper 1 revision pack you can use to help your child boost their grades in English. If you need any further support, feel free to send me a message: 07757 274094.
—This is a guest post by Barbara Njau, Founder and Director of First Rate Tutors which is a tuition company that supports students in English Maths, and Science GCSE exams, with weekly classes, examiner marking and online revision resources. Learn more on https://www.firstratetutors.com/
