A Cumnock woman has been hailed for overcoming bullying at school to carve out a successful career in the law.

Amy Thomas recently spoke at an event in the House of Commons and was interviewed by the BBC.

Amy's mum Alice now says she wants her daughter's experience to help others realise their self-worth.

Alice explained that Amy had to quit Cumnock Academy at the age of just 14 after being bullied and experiencing health and personal problems.

Amy and Alice now hope that by sharing Amy's story, other young people going through a difficult time at school can realise that those experiences don't have to define the rest of your life.

Alice said: "She [Amy] was being bullied at school, had some health and personal problems and it was an extremely difficult time for her. 

"I had to fight to get some home tuition for her and eventually secured one hour of English and one hour maths per week.

"Her tutors were excellent and with their help Amy achieved her Standard Grades in these subjects."

Once Amy achieved her grades, Alice had another fight on her hands to get Amy into Ayr college to study social sciences.

However, with support from her tutors, and especially Mr Lee in geography, Amy, who is now 31, was accepted into college and achieved her HND and HNC in social sciences.

Alice added: "Amy then went on to Stirling University and achieved a first in law.

"From there she secured a fully funded PHD at Glasgow University and achieved a doctorate of philosophy [PhD] in law.

Amy is now a lecturer in intellectual property and information law at Glasgow University.

Now living in Ayr with her fiancé Adam, Amy spoke at a reception at the House of Commons organised by the All Party Parliamentary Writers' Group last month.

Cumnock Chronicle: Amy during her speech. (Image: Alice Thomas)Amy during her speech. (Image: Alice Thomas) (Image: NQ Archive)

Amy worked as project investigator on a Glasgow University project looking into writers' earnings and contracts - which concluded that the future of writing as a primary profession in the UK is under threat.

Alice continued: "All Amy ever wanted to do was learn and I think her story illustrates that not all people 'fit into the system'.

"However, there is always hope and with a wee bit of help, people can achieve great things. Where there's a will there's a way. Well done Amy - you're a star!"

East Ayrshire Council have an anti-bullying section on their website, as part of their 'Respect for All Policy'.

It says: "We created East Ayrshire’s Anti-bullying: Respect for All Policy through a process that involved a small working group reviewing and revising the previous policy, and in consultation with: pupils; parents; staff and respectme Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service.

"The purpose of this policy is to support the development of respectful relationships within learning settings for children and young people aged 3-18 in East Ayrshire.

"In East Ayrshire, learning settings promote respectful relationships approaches, but in line with national guidance the term bullying is used in this policy for incidents where someone is physically, emotionally, mentally or verbally hurt by another individual or group of people."