A BUDDING county writer is packing their bags for Harvard University after being accepted into a prestigious summer school.

Carys Tulk, 16, of North Berwick, is one of four students from Who Cares? Scotland to take part in the rigorous university level programme in Boston, Massachusetts.

The group has been sent on behalf of Who Cares? Scotland, a charity which helps promotes children who have experience of the care system, usually children’s homes or foster care, to help them achieve their academic potential.

The programme is a fully immersive, seven-week university experience where the group will live on campus with other students from around the world, study two university-level modules from a choice of over 200 expert-led courses, and take part in campus life.

North Berwick High School pupil Carys, who is set to undertake courses in creative writing and introduction to psychology, was delighted to be a part of the programme.

They said: “Meeting people from all around the world and learning about other people’s cultures will be very cool.”

'Key skills for life'

Louise Hunter, chief executive at Who Cares? Scotland, said: “What the Harvard Summer School programme does is help care-experienced people discover just how much they are capable of and sets them up with key skills for life.

“We believe that everyone should be entitled to the best education possible. There can be barriers for care-experienced people in accessing the education they deserve.

“Although work is being done to address these challenges, such as the care-experienced student bursary and minimum entry requirements for further education institutions, this opportunity can broaden horizons significantly. Supporting care-experienced young people to realise their academic potential is vital.

“When we help people succeed, everyone benefits.”