Maths prodigy James is a GCSE mini marvel (From Echo)

Leigh maths prodigy James is a GCSE mini marvel

4:00pm Wednesday 8th September 2010 in Education By Katy Islip

A MINI maths marvel is celebrating an A grade GCSE in his favourite subject – at the tender age of ten.

The mathematical talents of James Yuen first came to light two years ago when his teacher noticed his aptitude for all things numerical.

Now, the pupil of Leigh North Street School has bagged the top grade after taking his exam six years ahead of schedule.

Proud parents Samuel and Wei Ying, both 37, are now content to let the maths prodigy continue learning at his own pace.

Mr Yuen said: “We are so pleased, but we don’t want to pressure him, because we just want him to enjoy it.

“He is on top of the world about his results, but he needs to stay focused on his other schoolwork too.”

Since his talent was discovered, James has enjoyed a weekly tutorial at Westcliff High School for Girls.

Mr Yuen added: “His maths teacher found something special about him and referred him to Westcliff High, and they assessed him and took him on.

“He is now studying for an A-level in maths, but they will take it easy on him because they don’t want to rush him.

“He has to absorb it all and maybe in a year or so they will assess how he is getting on and put him in for his exams.”

James, who lives above the family business, the Hong Kong Chinese takeaway, in Broadway, Leigh, hasn’t let his success go to his head and, as yet, has no plans to dedicate himself to a maths degree in the future.

His dad said: “James has said he wants to be a train driver or an airline pilot and it changes every year so we’ll see how he gets on with his ideas really!“

Mr Yuen said the family attributed James’s success to the help and support he has had from both his primary school and the team at Westcliff High.

He said: “North Street School played a really big part in referring him in the first place and they have done a great job with him, especially his old maths teacher.”

Headteacher Martin Framp-ton added: “James’s success is thanks to the teachers at Leigh North Street and also the teacher who helped him at Westcliff High School for Girls.

“He has done very well.”