Gold-medal winning diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix is studying for three A-Levels as well as triumphing in her diving career, her London headteacher revealed.
Rebecca Iles Smith, head of Harris Academy Bermondsey, said she is “incredibly proud” of the “calm and organised” A-Level student who became a star of the Commonwealth Games and manages to combine academic studies with her diving training.
The 17 year old won two gold medals at the games in Birmingham in the women’s 10m platform and the mixed synchro, as well as a silver in the synchronised event.
Spendolini-Sirieix, whose father Fred stars as the maitre’d on Channel 4’s First Dates, fits in her studies for A-Levels in English Literature, History and Spanish around her diving training.
Ms Iles Smith said: “I am so incredibly proud of her, she has just worked relentlessly hard to balance her studies and her training.
“Her calm, pragmatic approach to everything and the balance of independence and knowing when to ask for help have been really strong characteristics for Andrea since she started with us when she was 11 years old. She has been such a brilliant member of our community, to see her achieve this kind of success is a hugely proud moment for all of us she is a really remarkable young person.”
Describing how she fits in diving and schoolwork, Ms Iles Smith said: “Andrea is incredibly organised, she thinks in advance about what’s coming. She plans well and asks her teachers for support in managing the workload.
“She often has to take time out of school but she knows her schedule and makes sure she asks for work in advance so she can complete it when she is away competing or training. It’s just about being extremely organised and thoughtful. She has done that for years.”
Spendolini-Sirieix received top GCSE grades last year just a week after appearing at the Tokyo Olympics, and will take her A-Levels next year when she enters Year 13 at her Bermondsey school.
She hopes to continue her diving career and go to university, and is considering trying for a scholarship to an American university.
Andrea’s father Fred was in Birmingham to watch her competing, and tweeted his support throughout. After her final dive with diving partner Noah Williams he said: “It’s gold in the mixed diving 10m platform synchro, I’m crying! Andrea and Noah well done to you both.”
Speaking to the Evening Standard after picking up her GCSE results last year, Andrea said she trained six days a week for diving. She had to leave early most days from school and sometimes had to arrive late. Some days she trained for more than six hours a day.
She praised her school for being very accommodating with her training and competitions. She succeeded in staying up to date by asking in advance for homework and classwork. During the pandemic when lessons were delivered online she was able to join in while at training.
Last summer she scored six grade 9 GCSEs as well as two 7s and one 6 – and finished seventh in the women’s 10 metre platform event at the Tokyo Olympics.
