A STUDENT at Hereford's Royal National College for the Blind is celebrating after being offered a conditional place at Oxford University.

Kelsey Trevett, 18, may be off to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the prestigious university's Trinity College.

The news has come during a busy and exciting year for Kelsey. Alongside studying for A-levels in English Literature, French and History, Level 3 Braille and AS Mathematics, Kelsey is chairman of the college’s student representative group, a student ambassador and a member of the college’s eco committee. He also plays goalball, representing RNC in the domestic intermediate league.

In November Kelsey also managed to fit in a trip around the country on a rickshaw as part of the BBC Children in Need’s Rickshaw Challenge. All of this while preparing for the University of Oxford’s entrance exam. 

Kelsey said: "I was completely shocked when I received the offer from Oxford.

"I am absolutely over the moon, and can’t wait to see what the future brings. For now, it’s time to work hard, and to enjoy the best of

everything RNC has to offer – it has already given me so much in preparation for university life, and there is no way I could have got even this far without the fantastic, unique support and provision which has been offered to me here."

Kelsey’s English Literature teacher, Libby Hudson, said: "Kelsey has a great deal of drive, but he is also a very modest and unassuming character, and a great pleasure to teach.

"Obviously, I’m delighted that he did so well in the entrance exam, and I never really had any doubts that he would do well at the interview."

Kelsey has always been politically motivated and, ultimately, hopes to pursue a career in politics or political journalism.

One of his role models is former RNC student Lord (David) Blunkett who Kelsey describes as "a successful politician with a visual impairment who hasn’t allowed his disability to hold him back".

RNC chief executive Lucy Proctor said: "At RNC, our dedicated and experienced staff work extremely hard to support all students with their university applications and we are hugely proud of Kelsey’s achievement, which is a reflection of his academic potential and a reward for his hard work."