Cumbrian teen on way to her first GCSE - two years early

By Kelly Eve Education Reporter

Last updated at 15:59, Friday, 16 March 2012

A 14-year-old girl is hoping to achieve her first top-grade GCSE this summer – two years earlier than most teenagers after failing to drop a mark in her first module.

From left, Kyra Medcalf, Louise Graham, Ryan Hetherington and Georgia Powley. Kyra achieved 100 per cent in her first GCSE science module while Louise, Ryan and Georgia achieved A*s and As

Kyra Medcalf has just been told she achieved 100 per cent in her first GCSE Science module.

She sat the 90-minute test back in January as part of an accelerated programme she is on at the Richard Rose Central Academy in Carlisle. Kyra is among those in the top year nine science set at the academy entered for their GCSE this summer. She is also entered for her maths GCSE too.

Kyra said: “The test was for about an hour and a half and it featured bits on biology, physics and chemistry.

“Science is one of my favourite subjects.

“It’s all about knowledge and once you learn it you never forget it. It is interesting and it is always different.”

She added: “We’ll finish our last exam in June and we’ve also got a controlled assessment day coming up soon. I like taking exams like this, it lets me know that I’m doing well.”

Jacky Kennedy, co-headteacher at the academy, said: “This is the level of year 11, 16-year-olds take this exam.

“Kyra is a very able student and in years 10 and 11 she’ll go on to concentrate on the individual subjects in more detail and do separate GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics. To get an A at this age is unusual but not to drop a mark is rare and is a real achievement.”

Others in Kyra’s class who achieved A*s and As in their recent module include 13-year-olds Louise Graham, Ryan Hetherington and 14-year-old Georgina Powley.

Entering young and bright pupils for GCSEs before they are due to sit them at 16 – at the end of year 11 – is common practice in schools across the country.

“Very often they are in the core subjects of English, maths or science.

First published at 14:12, Friday, 16 March 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk