THE numbers added up for a group of students who secured top grades in maths despite taking their exams six months early.
Barnard Castle School students Claudia Barkes, 16, of Greta Bridge, Ross Gardiner, 15, of Kirkby Fleetham, Miles Brookes, 16, of Barnard Castle, Nicholas Mackay, 16, of Barnard Castle, Alex Swainston, 15, of Heighington and James Terrill, 16, of Barningham all secured A*s in their maths IGCSE.
Taking the exam in January rather than this June, the group all managed 90 per cent or above with James coming out on top with 97 per cent.
In total, the school entered 34 students early and more than three quarters of those who did the Higher Tier exam achieved A*/A grades.
Jamie Moffatt, 16 age, of Bedale, also scored more than 90 per cent in the Foundation Tier and will be awarded the Tony Parkinson Award for Mathematical Endeavour, awarded in memory of a former teacher to a student who has made significant progress in maths.
Director of studies Dr Michael Truss said: “This is an absolutely fantastic result made even more impressive by the fact the students took the exam six months early. It is well deserved and the school is very proud of their mathematical achievements.”
The students plan to take additional maths in the summer, a higher level qualification on par with AS Level before studying it at A Level at the sixth form.
For James the result was an important step towards his ambition of studying mathematics at Cambridge University.
Nicholas hopes applying the subject will stand him in good stead to fulfil his aspiration to work in chemical engineering. He said: “The field is so diverse that you can end up doing anything from automotive engineering to designing oil rigs.”
Ross, who hopes to work in banking, said: “We are all thrilled to have done so well and appreciate everything the school has done for us, such as pushing us on so quickly and organising extra tutorials in the holidays.”