FOR one East Norfolk Sixth Form College student, achieving excellent grades and a place at an esteemed university meant overcoming more than just her exams.

Katrina Rolfe, 18, from Bradwell has achieved an A in German, A in general studies, B in history, B in English literature and a B in general studies, all the while being confined to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy, which severely limits physical movement.

She celebrated her success at the college with her family and learning support assistant Janet Waters, where she discovered she had been offered a place at the University of Nottingham, which is in the top 10 in the UK.

Katrina said: 'I am ecstatic, I did not really think I would get in.

'There is a whole team here that do learning support, I want to thank Janet Waters, and Rachel, they helped me with writing and my exams.

'There have been times when it has been hard, but overall I have enjoyed the experience.

'It really feels quite weird, you feel quite nervous and yet excited at the same time and then there is just relief.

'I have to say it is very tiring, it is tiring for all students but it is really tiring when you have got added stuff to worry about. But anybody can do it with a little bit of determination. Everybody who is here, smiling and lovely, has put in the hard work. It is a great day for everybody.'

Katrina thanked everyone at the college for the support they have shown her throughout her exams, as did her mother Sue, 49, who was beaming with pride.

Mrs Rolfe said: 'It is just amazing she got her first choice uni.

'It has been an uphill struggle all her life, it is really nice to see that she has actually got what she has worked hard for.

'She has been able to show that disabled kids can get a good mainstream education with the right support.'