SCIENCE buff Jaime Van Hunskerken has gained his first GCSE at just 10 years old... without doing any revision.
The Rochdale schoolboy joined with his mum Daisy to take the exam, both spending last year attending a college class for grown ups.
And today came the news they had hoped for - both had scooped B grades.
But while Daisy, 32, spent nights swotting up on her subject, little Jaime said he did not feel the need to revise and he even helped her understand some of the trickiest topics.
The youngster, who is a pupil at St Edward's Primary School in Castleton, where he continued his normal studies, has been hooked by science ever since picking up a textbook at a car boot sale.
He decided to accompany his mum to the night class at Hopwood Hall College, Middleton, and was soon taking part in lessons himself.
Click here to see the GCSE results.
Jaime said: "I found it quite easy because I've been reading science books for a long time before I did the course.
"I pretty much knew a lot of it already so I didn't have to revise a lot.
"I had to help mum a little bit. I had to explain to her a bit about limestone, but she did pretty well otherwise."
The headteacher at Jaime's primary school had to give permission for the GCSE to ensure the 10-year-old did not fall behind in his normal studies. But his family say he relished the extra lessons.
Belgian-born mum Daisy, who works as a teaching assistant, added: "He found it quite easy to be honest. I wanted to go back because I did my education in another country and I was starting a job in a new school. I wanted to learn more about science to help the kids I was working with.
"I had to do a lot of studying for it to make sure that I got a result that I wanted, but he just did a bit of reading every now and then.
"I want him to be able to do something with his abilities, so I do hope he becomes a scientist or something where he can make a difference to the world."
To celebrate, Jaime was being taken out for a fast food meal by Daisy and dad Steven.
Click here to see the GCSE results.
Tweet
No revision for boy's GCSE
August 21, 2008
Jaime Van Hunskerken with his mum, Daisy
Showing comments 1 to 15 and replies | View All
-00-~-00-, Hulme (21/08/2008 at 11:56)
With respect, tho', if a 10 year-old can get a good grade with no revision, what hope is there that anyone other than M. Mouse will take these bits of paper seriously?
Still, I'm sure it helps HM Govt. meet some target or other, and that therefore IT IS DOING A GOOD JOB.
Ahem.
Once again (21/08/2008 at 12:12)
Mr Manchester (21/08/2008 at 12:32)
Marc (21/08/2008 at 12:41)
also, i'm surprised you got any grades at all. you come across as half-baked.
gordhelpus, Manchester (21/08/2008 at 15:23)
Its no wonder that there are thousands and thousands of teens out of work even though most of them have got some academic qualifications. There is also the problem of life skills and respect which most people agree is sadly lacking in todays young people, (yes I know not all)
but they are ALL tarnished with the same brush so I suggest that the good ones have a talk to the bad ones and put them on the right track.
Once again (21/08/2008 at 15:29)
sore thumb (21/08/2008 at 15:32)
No just joking, well done young man, you should be very proud of yourself.
JTC Formerley JimC (21/08/2008 at 15:41)
To the people putting this kid down, grow up will you, he has done well.
Picking on a kid.PATHETIC.
City Darren, Ashton U Lyne (21/08/2008 at 15:54)
These sour pusses who constantly whinge "exams are getting easier, blah blah" are nothing but twisted folk who can't accept the young are getting smarter. Most at school now realise that, in Tony's words, education education education is key. They therefore knuckle down and get their just rewards.
we deserve better (21/08/2008 at 16:38)
Give the kid a break though, he's only 10 so well done I say and keep going.
Ian (21/08/2008 at 17:00)
Barney Gumball (21/08/2008 at 17:29)
Marc (21/08/2008 at 17:59)
thats a punchline to something, surely?
loradora, wilmslow (24/08/2008 at 23:50)
Personally, I am sick to death of people complaining that exams are getting easier. I myself have just taken 10 gcses, and yes passed with flying colours. BUT i worked damn hard for those as and a*s but never once gave up. I would love to see all these people complaining actually do an exam and see what they came out with. Exams are no way getting easier; the young of today merely have more determination and are given more opportunities to do things with our results; we want to get places in life and without gcses we couldnt progress. I studied for absolute hours and would not give up until my coursework was the best it could be. Just look at all the results, i can tell you the people that have come out with 9 or 10 gcses truly deserve those because they have worked hard, put buckets of effort in and are extremely clever. So next time you say 'exams are getting easier,' just think, because they are not as easy as you make them out to be, if they were so easy then why is everyone not getting 100%... why is everyone not get a*s? Why are the grade boundaries still there - because they need to be! So dont point the finger when kids do well; its patronising and is not a recognition of our achievement. Britain should be proud of its ever improving education system; not demoralising us!
freelunch, sale (25/08/2008 at 21:40)
Well done to the lad; you deserve the credits.