The foster girl who won a battle with her local council to take up a place at Gordonstoun is to have a bursary fund named after her to help similar children after the school was flooded with donations.

Suzanne Turley's case, which received widespread publicity, generated more than £83,000 in donations from around the world - far more than the £38,000 needed to cover her fee for her two years in the sixth form.

The extra money will be used to establish the Turley Bursary, which should be operational by next year.

Director of development at the prestigious Scottish boarding school Angela Harkness told The Times yesterday: "We think it is a wonderful idea, and we will be trying to find ways of helping her establish such a fund."

Suzanne, 16, told the paper: "Just because a child is in care it does not mean that they should remain disadvantaged all their lives."

The teenager worked hard to win a coveted scholorship to study drama at Gordonstoun, whose old boys include the Prince of Wales.

Initially her local council Wrexham refused to sanction her place at the school, saying she had to go to a local college, but then backed down in the face of mounting criticism.

Suzanne, who moved in with foster carers after her relationship with her own parents broke down, approached Gordonstoun because of its excellent reputation for drama.

Her grandparents, Ida and John Turley, offered to put £20,000 towards the cost of her place but now donations have meant they can keep their life savings.

The teenager is due to start at the school in September provided she gets the five GCSEs she needs at grade C or better.

See also:

U-turn in Gordonstoun saga

Children's champion ready to step in on Gordonstoun saga

Is Gordonstoun saga about ticking boxes?

Council blocks foster girl's chance to attend public school