Teenager is finally accepted for medical degree

From the Daily Record:

"A TEENAGER from a deprived area has finally been awarded a place at medical school."

"Joanne Martin, who celebrated her 19th birthday yesterday, had been rejected by Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee universities – despite notching up the necessary exam passes to train as a doctor."

"The determined student – a former pupil of Glasgow’s Springburn Academy – will now begin her medical degree at Aberdeen in September."

"But Joanne, whose mum is a part-time cleaner and dad a postman, believes other pupils like her could miss out because the system is weighted in favour of middle- class applicants."

"It was only after Joanne took a three-month-trip to Ghana to teach health and hygiene and did an Open University course to beef up her application that she was finally offered a conditional place at Aberdeen."

"The university insisted on her hitting certain grades on her OU course before they would give her a place."

"But after we highlighted her situation, she was contacted to say her place was now unconditional."

"Joanne, from Possilpark, said: "It was only after my story appeared that there was a change of heart."

"`I am really looking forward to starting my course at last.`"

"Joan  is concerned that other pupils from a similar background to hers are still missing out."

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/teenager-deprived-area-finally-been-5979346?_sm_au_=iVVFZNsr70kQ3HRV

We hear a lot these days about the `attainment gap.` Policy makers have been setting up committees and consultations to address the problem.

Now here is Joanne Martin pointing to an obvious flaw in the system. School cut backs, and a lack of provision of important subjects, are forcing pupils from deprived areas into hubs in order to get the qualifications they need. That gives pupils another uphill struggle.