Three Year 8 students from Kingsbridge Community College already have one GCSE under their belt, three years before the rest of their classmates take their exams.

Brad Higginson, Raffi Leggett and Tilly Ryall all took their French GCSE three years early, with Raffi and Tilly earning A* grades and Brad earning an A.

All three had lived in France during their lives, Tilly was born there, moving to the UK when she was in Year 7, Raffi lived there for two-and-a-half years and Brad lived there for three-and-a-half years.

Supported by teachers Ms Dragica Mayo and Ms Frederique Priou-Taylor, the students did their coursework, which made 60 per cent of their grade, during a lunchtime work club once a week. They said the writing was the most challenging part, and they are planning to keep up with a speaking club to make sure they don’t lose the skill.

Brad said that taking the GCSE early “took the pressure off” and gave him something to add in a job interview. It also means the three students have one GCSE under their belt, meaning they can take another when they get to Year 10 and 11.

Brad is thinking about taking Computer Science, while Raffi and Tilly are considering taking both History and Geography, where most of their classmates will have to choose between one or the other.

Ms Mayo called the students’ success a “huge achievement”.Brad Higginson's parents Elizabeth and Ivan wanted to express their thanks to the teachers who helped the three students achieve their GSCE early. Ms Higginson said: "They did a fantastic job of getting them through their exams. Their time and effort has been invaluable. We are very proud of them all."