The 30-year-old has juggled family commitments with getting top marks in her four A-levels and has now been offered a place at Cambridge University to study medicine.

As well as just being crowned Tresham Institute's 'student of the year', she has also won The Adult Learners' Week East Midlands adult learner of the year.

The self-confessed former tearaway was even back in class at Tresham Institute just days after giving birth alone at home, with all her homework done in time.

Her amazed tutors have heaped praise on her dedication and hard work.
Gill Hayduk said: "She was present in my lecture on Friday, gave birth on the following Tuesday and was back in lessons on Monday, having completed work that was set during the previous week."

As well as her family commitments and studies, Nicky provides respite care to two elderly relatives and mentors a young woman with a learning disability.

She has had six years of working with adults with learning disabilities and is experienced at caring for people with autism.

Nicky, who is studying biology, chemistry, maths and sociology A-levels, was also part of a large medical team working in a nursing home.

She said: "I was a bit of a tearaway at school. At first I was predicted A*s but came away with a lot worse and was pregnant at 17.

"I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life but knew I had to do something to support my children. I considered doing NVQs but then decided to study A-levels."

She was pregnant with her fourth child before she started at college and despite planning a home birth didn't expect to deliver the child herself.

She said: "The midwife came over but she said the baby was a few days away.

"I ended up giving birth in my living room a few hours later."

Nicky, of High Street, Kettering, receives support from her mother to look after one-year-old Jack, seven-year-old Ben, nine-year-old Charlie and 12-year-old Adam.

She said: "It is a struggle sometimes to combine my studies and look after my boys.

"Sometimes I'm revising from 9pm until 1am.

"I didn't think I had a hope in hell of being accepted on the course, I
know how many people want to study there.

"It's a conditional place but I hope my life experience counted for something.

"Juggling family and college life has given me confidence and made me determined to succeed."