Southend maths prodigy, 12, wins Eton scholarship (From Southend Standard)

Southend maths prodigy, 12, wins Eton scholarship

7:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in Echo News

A YOUNG maths prodigy, raised above a Chinese takeaway by his doting parents, has won a scholarship to Eton College.

James Yuen, 12, astonished his parents when he announced he was heading for the prestigious college whose pupils generally come from elite public schools. The bright youngster secured his place after bagging an A grade in GCSE maths at the age of ten and then followed that up with an A at A-Level last year. After attending an open day and sitting gruelling entrance exams he has been granted a New Foundation scholarship to the famous college in Windsor, Berkshire.

Proud dad Samuel Yuen, 39, who owns the Hong Kong Takeaway in Leigh Broadway, said after hearing what his son’s ambitions were, he gave him his full support.

He said: “He applied to take the exams, we encouraged him but didn’t push him. I told him to go and to try his best, and that if he didn’t make it, it didn’t matter, because he already goes to a very good local school.”

James currently attends Westcliff High School for Boys, an academy grammar school that boasts exceptionally high exam results both at GCSE and A Level. He will finish this academic year at Westcliff before starting at Eton College in September.

 

Headteacher Michael Skelly said: “James was very keen to pursue this, and he has been successful. Eton college is a very fine school, and I wish him all the best for the future.”