Child genius scores highest GCSE maths mark in Dubai school

Susannah Latto, 11, from the UK, is a pupil at Kings' School Al Barsha

Susannah Latto, 11, scored the highest score in Further Maths at her school. Patrick Ryan / The National

An 11-year-old in Dubai has achieved the highest mark in GCSE Further Maths at her school.

Susannah Latto, from London, stunned her friends and teachers at Kings' School Al Barsha by scoring 163 out of 175 in the exam.

The mark, the equivalent of 94 per cent, gave her an A* distinction a full five years before most pupils sit the test.

Incredibly, it was not her first ever GCSE exam. Last year, she also achieved an A* in traditional Maths.

"Solving puzzles makes me happy," Susannah told The National. "It's something I've always liked to do - I enjoy finding answers."

Susannah’s love of numbers began at just two years old when she found a book on multiplication on a shelf at home.

Much later, she began downloading maths apps to an iPad as her obsession with figures and equations grew.

Today, the youngster hopes to go on to study statistics and pure mathematics, the analysis of mathematical concepts.

“I found a book [on multiplication] and opened it and then taught myself how to do times tables,” Susannah said.

“I’m going into Year 7 now and I love playing football, netball as well as the piano. I like playing as a goalkeeper.

“I want to study statistics and pure mathematics when I’m older.”

Susahhah’s mother, Sarah, said she was amazed by her daughter’s success. Students usually only begin studying for their GCSEs when they are 14.

“She wasn’t even three-years-old when she was lifting books off shelves to teach herself,” Sarah said.

“After that, she was going on to my iPad to download maths apps. I know it’s unusual for a girl her age but otherwise she’s just like any other child her age.”