A-level results: Student wins University of Southampton scholarship

Paige Allen, 19, is celebrating after she won her scholarship to a Russell Group university to study a subject close to her heart.

Paige was so inspired by her own experience in the care system and by her adoptive mother Julie Allen, 73, that she wants to be a children's nurse.

She won a scholarship to study at the University of Southampton, after her dedication impressed the people who fund the scholarship that 300 people apply for.

Paige Allen, centre, with John and Marion Greenwood (Image: Chris Russell)

Picking up her A-level results on Thursday at Brockenhurst College, Paige said: "I know first hand how much small things can change your life, especially when you're younger and how much of a difference it makes having someone there."

Paige's adoptive mother Mrs Allen has fostered 'umpteen' children over the last 35 years. She's adopted four in that time, and has even inspired her biological daughter to adopt five children of her own.

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The caring nature of the woman who fostered her from the age of 11, and adopted her at the age of 16, inspired Paige.

She said: "It will be rewarding to be able to do something for someone else and their family, being there for them.

"I was inspired to do child nursing in the care system. I volunteered at the Southampton children's hospital - it's just been a really amazing experience.

"I feel like... I can't really take everything in yet!"

Paige Allen was so inspired by her own experience in the care system and her adoptive mother that she wants to be a children's nurse (Image: Chris Russell)

John and Marion Greenwood fund the Greenwood Bursary, which will pay for Paige's tuition fees when she studies child nursing at the University of Southampton.

On why they chose her out of the six students shortlisted out of 300 for the award, Mr Greenwood said: "I think she was just someone who was dedicated.

"She has been working as a volunteer at Southampton General [Hospital].

"She is very concerned about illness in children - when she graduates and she gets a job in nursing, she wants to set up some kind of quiet room to get them away from the medical side of things."

Paige volunteered at the children's hospital for just over a year. She aspires to set up quiet rooms where neurodivergent children can escape the overwhelming environment of the emergency department.

Her adoptive mother's husband died when she was 34. They had had three children in that time, and were getting ready to start fostering when he died suddenly at the age of 36.

Mrs Allen went on to adopt four children and has lost count of the number she fostered, all as a single parent.

She said of her family: "I just think we have got a passion for helping people, trying to improve their lives, give them a good start in life."

Paige has an unconditional offer to study at the University of Southampton.

She received her A-level results today which were an A* in the Extended Project Qualification, three distinction stars in Level 3 Performing Arts extended diploma, a C in A Level biology and an A in AS psychology.