University place for Chloe against the odds

Final year student Chloe Salisbury has beaten the odds to achieve exceptional BTEC results and secure her first choice of university place.

A looked after child from a young age, and living with a visual impairment disability, Chloe achieved Merits and Distinctions at Birkenhead Sixth Form College in her Level 3 BTECs. She will now go on to study Sports & Exercise Science at Edge Hill University at degree level. 

Only 6% of care leavers looked after in England including adoptions went on to higher education in 2022, and there remains major barriers for those with a visual impairment to equitably access education to fulfil potential. 

Chloe also became the first female on both sides of her family to be offered a degree place at university.

Chloe said: “I can’t stop smiling. I was worried I might have failed, but I got higher grades than I expected. Thank you to everyone who has supported me get this far - teachers, support staff and my foster family. I am so happy. Birkenhead Sixth Form College got me to where I want to be.”

She continued: “I chose Edge Hill University because of the course and also their response to supporting people with visual impairment. The open days and their accessible and positive communication with me gave me the confidence to choose them over others.”

Jo, visual support worker since Chloe was three, said: “You deserve everything Chloe. Enjoy the moment.”

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “I’m extremely proud that Chloe allowed us to be her choice of sixth form education. Her achievements are remarkable and she is the embodiment of the resilience that the College ethos is all about. I have absolutely no doubt that her next steps in education and beyond will be resoundingly successful and everyone at the College wishes her the best of luck in the future.”