A University of Worcester Student will graduate next week, after overcoming incredible odds to achieve her degree.
Ellie with her Grandmother Gwyn Boddice as she receives her results ahead of coming to University
Ellie-May Sherriff was born prematurely at just 28 weeks, and with a medical condition which has affected her academic ability her whole life. Despite this, she has now successfully completed her degree in Illustration.
“Most people see letters on a page and save them in their heads, but I don’t have that,” explained Ellie, who has always struggled academically. “I was told that I wasn’t going to pass my GCSE’s, but I did, and I got my BTEC in Art and Design with 3 Merits.”
She said: “If someone tells me I can’t do something, I will do it better than it has ever been done!”
Before coming to university, Ellie lived with her grandparents and said that her graduation day will be a particularly important day for her grandmother.
She said: “There’s a photo of me and my Nan when I got my results before coming to university, and you can see how excited we both were. My graduation will be very emotional for her; she has had her outfit for the day picked out since January.”
Despite the challenges she faced, Ellie said she found the perfect place to study in Worcester.
“I looked at other universities in the Midlands before I came to Worcester, but they were too big,” she said. “I felt like I would get lost, but when I came to an open day at Worcester, I saw how close-knit the arts courses were and that was what I was looking for.”
She continued: “I have loved studying in the Art House, it’s such a great space with so much cool stuff to work with. If you speak to any art student at Worcester we’re all so proud of the Art House.”
She added: “My tutor, Tobias Hickey, was my main support throughout. He did so much to help me with all of my challenges, reading worksheets with me, helping me in his own time, anything he could do, he did.”
Ellie is now looking ahead to the future. She said: “I’ve been successful in getting a position as a Technical Apprentice with a local housebuilding company.”
She continued: “I worked within the Sustainability Team at university, and that gave me the confidence to really sell myself at the interview
Tobias Hickey, Course Leader, Illustration, said: “Ellie has been a pleasure to teach and has had a lasting impact on the teaching delivery of our Illustration course. Through consideration of her challenges and learning styles, the team has been able to adapt and enhance our formats to make the curriculum more inclusive and accessible.”
He continued: “Ellie took advantage of many opportunities, like working with the University’s Sustainability Department to extend her work experience and develop a unique and impressive skill set.”
“Like many of our alumni, we’ll be keeping in touch and following Ellie’s future successes with pride,” he added.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk