Youngster gets top marks in maths GCSE five years early (From Enfield Independent)

Southgate youngster Stellios Attipa gets top marks in maths GCSE five years early

11:50am Wednesday 21st September 2011 in News By David Hardiman, Reporter

A SOUTHGATE pupil has been celebrating passing his maths GCSE with an A* – aged only 11.

Stellios Attipa, who goes to Chancellor's School in Hatfield, took the exam earlier this summer after receiving extra tuition at weekends when his teacher realised his talent.

His mother Anna, who said it was too early to say whether Stellios would use his passion for a future career, admitted she had no idea he would do so well.

She said: “He really does enjoy his maths and he likes a challenge – but not in a million years did I think it would come to this.

“He's always shown an interest in it and we realised he had a talent and an ability at quite a young age.

“He's done so well and worked really hard – I'm sure other children are just as capable and should try it.”

Stellios was encouraged to take extra classes by his teacher Naveed Darr, who runs supplementary tuition at the school at weekends and in evenings throughout the week.

He said: “It's an amazing achievment for an 11-year-old, but I was confident he would pass.

“He was very keen to learn and if you can have young people do really well – then why restrict them?

“It will boost his confidence going forward and if he is capable then he should be allowed to succeed.”