Croydon College student Navjyot Mata, 18, who has been profoundly deaf since she was two, has found a way to express herself - through art.

"Art is my life," says Navjyot. "Through it I am able to express the feelings, everything I cannot say with my words."

Navjyot has just completed her BETC National Diploma in General Art and Design with flying colours while taking an A Level course in Printmaking.

Navjyot has also received an award at Croydon College for the best achiever over two years on the National Diploma Course.

She has also been offered a place at the Chelsea College of Art to do a BA (Hons) in Public Art.

Navjyot was born in Malawi and had a difficult childhood as her deafness meant that she could not express herself. This changed, when, aged 11, she went to Oak Lodge School for the Deaf in Balham, where she learned sign language.

Sue Blair, the Learning Support Manager at Croydon College said: "With the help of the City Lit Further and Higher Education Support Services, Croydon College has helped deaf students."

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