A STUDENT who arrived in Blackburn from China three years ago not knowing a word of English has won a place at St John's College, Oxford.

Ivan Wong, who is studying maths, further maths, physics and chemistry at St Mary's Sixth Form College in Blackburn, has received a provisional offer of a place to read maths at Oxford, following his A-level results.

The 17-year-old arrived in England from Macau with his parents and two brothers in 1997. His family moved to Kettering in July in this year, but Ivan opted to stay on in Blackburn to finish his studies and lives at the Marist Fathers Residence on Shear Bank Road, Blackburn.

He said: "I found the language quite difficult at first but my teachers helped me with extra lessons.

"I was very pleased about getting a place at Oxford. I am looking forward to going. It will be a new adventure."

Ivan spends much of his spare time studying and also enjoys reading.

The head of media, marketing and theatre studies at St Mary's, Sarah Flanagan, said: "When Ivan came here he spoke another language so it is a fantastic achievement, particularly without parental support.

"He has done very well and we are very proud of him. He has had to be quite independent living without his parents but he is a very intelligent young man and I'm sure he will do very well at Oxford."

Ivan also scooped the Philip Graystone prize for mathematics at the college award presentation evening on Tuesday.

He said: "I am still learning English. I still find it a little difficult but I understand maths well."

Picture: Michael Findley, principal of St Mary's College, with Ivan