Thomas and Jake get AS-levels three years early

9:20am Saturday 16th August 2008

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THEY have done it again – a pair of talented teens at a York secondary school have taken their maths AS exams three years early and scored A grades.

Last year we reported how Jake Lishman, then 12, and Thomas Rychlik, 13, at the time, picked up their GCSE results three years ahead of schedule.

A year on, Thomas, 14, and Jake, 13, have amazed their teachers again by coming out with some of the best marks in their school at AS level.

The pair, who are Year 9 pupils at All Saints RC School, in York, are the first at the school to take the exam so early and have astounded staff with their skills.

Bill Scriven, their head teacher, and Peter Cannings, chairman of governors, said they were proud of both boys and of all the GCSE students.

Mr Scriven said: “This is absolutely stunning. It’s absolutely incredible that the boys can cope with this level of study so early on in their school careers. They are really nice students to boot and we are very proud of their achievements.

“To do AS in Year 9 and then to come out with some of the top AS marks in the school is just amazing. They have both worked exceptionally hard and have had some individual tuition to push them through, but they are very bright students and thoroughly deserve this success.”

Jake was previously at Headlands School, in Haxby and Thomas is a former pupil of Our Ladies RC School, in Acomb.

Mr Scriven said the boys would now look to start A-level maths in Year 10 and then go on to do further maths in Year 11.

Mr Scriven said: “Overall this year we have had another fantastic set of results have been achieved by students throughout the ability range at A-level and AS. “Peter Cannings, the chairman of governors and I would like to congratulate everyone, the students, staff and parents. The young people can be justifiably proud of their two years work. Well done!”

Carol Runciman, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children and Young People’s Services, paid tribute to the hard work of all those who collected their A and AS level results on Thursday.

She said: “During the last five years we have seen a steady rise in achievement from York’s pupils.

“These are outstanding results from York College and York schools including Joseph Rowntree where the results are its best ever, with the percentage of A grades higher than the national average. High numbers of young people have achieved results that they hoped for, or have exceeded their expectations. I would like to congratulate them all on their achievement, and wish them the very best in their future careers.”