NINE-year-old schoolboy James Griffith is celebrating after he gained an A* in GCSE Maths – despite being seven years younger than most of those sitting the exam.

James, of Eskside East, Musselburgh, took the exam alongside secondary students at Loretto School before the summer holidays.

And he was delighted to be told he gained an astonishing 97 per cent in his results.

Proud parents Susan and David, said the youngster, who attends Loretto, has always shown an interest in maths and his ability was discovered at a very young age.

Susan said: “When James was about three he was at nursery when the staff noticed he was concentrating on a piece of grid paper. When they asked what he was doing he told them he was counting, and when they asked how far he had counted to he said 255.” James’ skill continued to amaze his parents. When he was five he found a GCSE exam paper which they had downloaded to try themselves, and finished two thirds of it.

With the guidance of Loretto’s teaching staff, James joined a class with the year group studying for their GCSE Maths last term. Originally there were no plans for him to take the actual exam.

Mum Susan, who is training to be a primary school teacher, said: “The school decided to put him in the class to give him the experience and challenge but there were no plans for James to sit the exam. He took part in the mock exams, however, and got an A* so it was agreed to let him sit the main one.

“James loves the work and the challenge, he likes solving problems and working with numbers. There are times when he leaves us completely speechless.” Susan insists James takes his maths talent from his dad David, who is a doctor.

The youngster regularly takes part in Mathematical Olympiads and has won a gold medal in the event. This year, James is planning to study for the International GCSE Maths as the next step up in the subject.

Susan said: “We are very proud of James and working with the school to support him in his studies.”