A 13-YEAR-OLD mathematics prodigy is celebrating success after achieving the highest grade possible in a GCSE she has passed three school years ahead of target.

Jessica Yong was in Year 8 when she sat her maths GCSE exam and secured a level 9 – a grade higher than the traditional A* – with support from her tutor, Tina Davison.

The star Dyke House Sports and Technology College student, in Hartlepool, dropped just one mark in mock exams she completed ahead of the GCSE and she now dreams of becoming an engineer.

Jessica said: “I am really proud of myself for being able to achieve that.

“I love it at Dyke House and everyone has congratulated me. There were a couple of questions I got stuck on but I was OK because I had done a lot of mock exams to prepare for.”

Dyke House maths teacher, Mrs Davison, said: “Every single night Jess would take work home to self-study and come in the next day to get advice.

“It was through sheer hard work, a massive dollop of talent and Jess, in my opinion, is possibly the most talented mathematician I have ever taught.”