Homeless pupil gets straight As and into Cambridge

Jason Lewis achieved academic success while homeless. Photo / Twitter @ColegyCymoedd

A homeless student in the UK has beaten the odds and been accepted into the prestigious Cambridge University law school.

Jacob Lewis, 22, from Cardiff found himself homeless and struggling to afford food, following a fight with his family. Adding to his struggles, he lost his contract job at a nightclub after asking for time off for exams.

Huge congratulations to learner Jacob Lewis who achieved 4 A*s to study Law at @Cambridge_Uni #ALevelResults pic.twitter.com/Zd8lE14QhB

— Coleg y Cymoedd (@ColegyCymoedd) August 13, 2015

However, his college was there to support him and helped with travel, living expenses and even accommodation.

"It's been a hard fight," Lewis told the Huffington Post. "At the start of this year I was working 24 hours a week to support my studies and make ends meet, I was barely eating.

"At one point I became homeless and had to start sofa surfing. Having a permanent home with my family wasn't an option."

Lewis spent 12 hours a day in his school's library, as he says it was "the only place I could study".

He had previously left school at 17 and worked in debt management for three years before returning as mature student.

His school, Coleg y Cymoedd (Valleys College) in Nantgarw, near Pontypridd, South Wales managed to support him by accessing a student hardship fund.

And it looks like it paid off - Lewis achieved four As in History, Law, Sociology and the Welsh Baccalaureate. He even gained a 100 per cent in his history A-level and 100 per cent in law overall.

Coleg y Cymoedd celebrates ongoing A Level success http://t.co/L52TngZ9fp pic.twitter.com/mv8dkV2gUI

— Coleg y Cymoedd (@ColegyCymoedd) August 13, 2015

He is the first student from the college to win a place to study law at Cambridge University.

"I'm absolutely delighted with my results and I hope this shows Welsh students that with hard work and dedication this can be done and dreams can come true," he said.

- nzherald.co.nz