Maths star gets a-level at 14

A 14-YEAR-OLD maths whizz has passed A-level maths with an A* four years early – but will still have to take GCSE maths.

James Harkin from Cardiff got his maths GCSE two years ago – passing that with an A* and further maths GCSE with distinction aged 12 in 2016.

But GCSE maths has now been updated to a two-paper qualification – mathematics and mathematics numeracy – so he’ll need to re-take it so he has the same qualifications as peers applying to university and jobs later, said his mother Theresa.

Not that that should be a problem for the Cardiff High School pupil, who starts his GCSE courses in year 10 next month.

“I really enjoy maths and my mind is maths orientated,” he said.

The teenager puts his success down to not working too hard and making sure he does other things than study.

“I taught myself the A-level with text books and did past papers and had a bit of help on the statistics from a friend,” he said.

“I did a little bit every day. It varied but it was about half an hour at the start and that went up to an hour as the exam got near.

“I do athletics a lot and my team Cardiff Archers is through to the national athletics finals in September.

“I do 200m and 100m running and long jump, high jump and relay. “I try to do lots of things. “I also play piano and guitar and like Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars.”

At school, he says he was also allowed to do his own A-level work in year nine maths lessons.

James’ parents David, an IT technician and mother, Theresa, a Kumon maths instructor, said they are very pleased for James who decided himself he wanted to do the A-level after doing so well in the GCSE, a feat that was reported in the Echo two years ago.

“I could help him a bit at AS but not really after that, he taught himself,” said Theresa.

“James wanted to do this himself. There is a backlash against pushy parents but there is a difference between encouraging them to work steadily and pushing them.

“We want James to do other things too.”

The young mathematician, who has just been to Norway, says he’ll now wait to do the further maths A-level until sixth form because, by then, universities may want to see he has done maths more recently, and he wants to focus on other subjects for his GCSEs.

“It won’t be a problem taking the new GCSE maths – hopefully it will work out. It will be embarrassing if it doesn’t.

“I probably won’t do a straight maths degree because I don’t have a passion for it in that way but I want to do a subject involving maths.” And his advice to others? “I think you have to be organised and do a little a day, not too much and also do other things.”