A record number of Gloucestershire care leavers are studying at universities across the UK.

There are currently 34 care leavers from Gloucestershire who are studying at university - the highest on record. This includes 12 young people who have recently started degree courses at universities including Gloucestershire, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Northampton and Swansea.

Courses studied include psychology, philosophy, law, criminology, social work, creative writing and business management.

There are also eight care leavers who have recently graduated from university with a degree or master's qualification in courses such as paramedic science, social work, psychology, photojournalism and accountancy.

In addition, more young people in care than ever before achieved a higher grade at GCSE English and maths this year.

Children and young people in care receive support from the county council's Virtual School, a team of dedicated teachers and education professionals who support the education of children in care and care leavers, alongside their own school.

The Virtual School works to raise the educational attainment and school attendance of children and young people, tracking their progress and working with schools, social workers and foster carers to help young people in care achieve their full potential.

Cllr Stephen Davies, cabinet member for children's safeguarding and early years at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "All these young people can be rightly proud of overcoming adversity and achieving this richly deserved educational success. It is an amazing set of results, and the best since the Virtual School was introduced in 2007.

"We have high aspirations for the children and young people in our care and I know that these qualifications will open up more opportunities for them, as they prepare for adulthood. I would like to thank the whole team around them - schools, social workers, carers and parents who have supported them at every stage."