Ukrainian Refugee at Westbourne School Wins Place at Oxford

Illia Mitiushnikov will head to the University of Oxford to study PPE – following in the footsteps of British Prime Ministers

Illia Mitiushnikov relocated from Ukraine in early 2022 to live with a host family in Barry who,
recognising his academic potential, quickly contacted Westbourne to discuss the possibility
of Illia studying at the award-winning school.

Located in the heart of Penarth, Westbourne is a leading independent school currently
ranked #1 in the UK for Innovation, and #1 in the Vale for Results.* 90% of Westbourne
graduates progress to the world’s top universities, including Oxbridge, the elite Russell
Group and international equivalents, consistently ranking in the top 1-2% globally.
Illia was one of five students from Ukraine offered a free place to study at Westbourne
under their refugee scholarship scheme, as part of the school’s commitment to
supporting Ukrainian students and their families.

Excelling in his GCSEs at Westbourne, well-known for its smaller class sizes and tailored
approach to learning, Illia successfully obtained 11 A* grades.

He made the natural progression to the school’s Sixth Form, which proudly offers the
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in place of A Levels in Years 12 and 13.
The IB, globally recognised for the rich depth and breadth of education it provides,
requires students to choose more subjects, so that their later university and career
choices are not restricted by the traditional 3 A Level subjects.

He has now received the news that, after a successful application and interview with his
future tutors, he will commence study at the University of Oxford from October, where he will
read the three-year PPE (Philosophy, Politics & Economics) course.

One of the most prestigious undergraduate degrees in the country, PPE at Oxford is known
for catapulting some of our most prominent politicians and leaders to the limelight,
including David Cameron, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, David and Ed Miliband, Tony Benn,
Peter Mandelson, Edward Heath, Michael Heseltine, Edwina Currie, and many others.
“To study at Oxford has been my dream”, Illia told us. “I arrived in the UK as a refugee
and my host family suggested I apply to Westbourne, which was a life-changing
moment for me.”

“With the support of the school, I was able to finish 11 GCSEs in one year. I have
always really enjoyed Economics and at Westbourne, this interest deepened. I
discovered the PPE course at Oxford and decided to apply. PPE goes hand-in-hand
with Oxford, like Engineering at MIT or Law at Harvard.”

“My Oxford offer has been the result of long-term effort and trusting the process, with
the staff and teachers at the school supporting me at every step – it’s been a journey!
Doing GCSEs, I never imagined I might go to Oxford, but as time went on, this vision
became clearer. I’m so thrilled. My family back home cried when I told them.”

Awarded IB Diploma School of the Year, IB Sixth Form at Westbourne is an immersive
experience in academic excellence. The two-year course attracts the best young minds from
a broad local and international community. Alongside their six subject choices, IB Diploma
pupils study three core elements: Theory of Knowledge (ToK), the Extended Essay (EE), and
Creativity, Activity & Service (CAS). All three elements are highly prized by university
admissions teams for the advanced research and study skills they teach students.

A report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency has found that in the UK, not only
are IB students more likely to go to a top 20 ranked university, they are also more
likely to achieve a first-class degree and be at the top of their university class.

“The IB offers you a broader range of subjects, so you gain wider knowledge”,
explained Illia. “I didn’t expect my knowledge of Computer Science to help me answer
questions in my Oxford Philosophy interview, for example! The IB also improves your
time management, study skills and teaches you to think deeply and more critically.”

Whilst at Westbourne, Illia was selected as one of four Head Pupils to lead and mentor the
student community. He also organised and led the school’s Debating Club, took part in the
prestigious Model United Nations scheme, and won two scholarships to summer schools in
London, including a banking and finance study experience at UCL.

Paul Forsythe, Principal at Westbourne School, told us: “I speak on behalf of the whole
school when I say how immeasurably proud we are of Illia’s phenomenal academic success.


“At Westbourne, we are committed to nurturing future leaders through a unique blend of
academic excellence married with exceptional global learning opportunities. We are
delighted that Illia has been able to use his Westbourne education as a stepping stone to get
to one of the world’s very best universities. In particular, the IB Diploma provides a
tremendous advantage when applying to top ranking universities due to its unparalleled
academic standing, in addition to the holistic experiences it offers. I have no doubt that
winning a place at Oxford will continue to change Illia’s life. The sky really is the limit.”

In 2024, Westbourne was awarded the ISA Award for Innovation in Independent
Education for a pioneering approach to enriching learning and improving outcomes for all
students aged 2-18.

The launch of Westbourne’s pioneering “global classroom” – including real-time virtual
link-ups connecting students and teachers across Westbourne schools in Penarth, Sydney
and Singapore, as well as lessons led by holographic teachers who appear in the room – is
unique, transforming day-to-day learning and offering students unprecedented opportunities
to tap into the very best teachers worldwide, no matter their location or time zone.

The school has also developed cutting-edge methodology for improving assessment and
feedback for students, through collaboration with Cardiff University’s School of
Neuroscience. The use of a research-backed AI learning platform supports students to
advance their learning independently at home, promoting a more secure understanding of
their learning journey, as well as a sense of empowerment in everyday study.