Playing with numbers adds up to success for six-year-old

At the age of six, Israel Nwisi is believed to be the youngest child this year to pass a GCSE exam.

He studied maths every Saturday at a church in Deptford with two other child prodigies who had become famous by "playing with numbers".

Israel, from Greenwich, said he had been inspired by twins Peter and Paula Imafidon, who took GCSEs at six and who last week passed AS-level maths aged seven. All three studied at the Excellence in Education scheme.

Israel, who achieved a D grade, said: "Every Saturday we went to this church in Deptford where everyone played with numbers for two hours. I met Peter there and we played against each other. I am getting better all the time but Peter is champion. He keeps winning timestable games."