A Scots student from one of Glasgow 's most deprived areas has become the first person in her school to win a place at Oxford University.
Megan McCloskey, from Castlemilk, is just one of six people out of 350 who applied to be accepted at the Queens College to study for a degree in chemistry.
The 17-year-old, who is also the youngest in her year, achieved straight As in eight Highers and two Advanced Highers while studying at St Margaret Mary's secondary school.
Proud mum Irene, 38, met Megan's dad Kevin, also 38, while the pair were still at school and welcomed her daughter at the age of just 20.
She told the Record: "Megan has excelled in everything she has done so far. She has achieved so much already, especially being from such a deprived area of Glasgow, and I hope her story encourages other kids from deprived areas to do the same.
"It's been her dream for years to go to Oxford and her chemistry teacher, Mrs McGinlay, really encouraged her to go for it when she saw her potential. Megan owes a lot to her."
Irene, who is currently training to be a patisserie chef, also told how Megan has delighted her family with another first, as she has become their fist member to attend university.
She added: "We are so proud that Megan is first to go to uni in our family because it's always been her dream. She was Pupil of the Year in primary one and she's always had her head in a book."
But Megan knows that a strong work ethic is as important as using her brain and is currently grafting hard at her local Greggs store in a bid to save as much as she can to help cover her living costs in her first year as a student.
Irene continued: "Four years at Oxford could cost as much as £80,000 and Megan isn't allowed to work during her first year there so finances are definitely a worry.
"She also got an unconditional offer from St Andrew's University but she really wanted to go to Oxford so she is determined to save her money so she can get through it."
Delighted Megan added: "I honestly can't believe it, I'm still in a state of disbelief. I've always wanted to go to university but I think it was about 4th year that I decided just to go for it and apply to Oxford.
"But I've had to work hard and I feel like it's tough for anybody to get through exams.
"I'm quite scared at the thought of going to Oxford, but I'm just going to focus on the chemistry that I've always loved it - right from the very first kit I got when I was younger."
At Megan's school, St Margaret Mary’s, around 24.1% of students go on to Higher Education, 25.3% go on to Further Education, while the majority of pupils move into the workforce at 39.8%.
School headteacher Elaine Seery described her pupil as a "role model" not just to her school, but also to the Castlemilk community.
She added: "Everyone is smiling for Megan! What she has achieved, while right in the thick of Covid, just shows her resilience.
"She radiates quietly secure, but with likeable confidence, and she works extremely hard.
"She is a fantastic role model, not just for our school but the community of Castlemilk. I know she will go on to do great things but she will always be a home bird."
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