BRIGHT sparks from Oldbury primary schools are celebrating after passing their maths GCSE - several years early.

Sixteen 10 and 11- year-olds from four schools took the maths foundation paper, for which a C grade is the highest achievable.

Children typically start GCSE courses at the start of year 10, aged 14 -15 and the group were entered early as part of the gifted and talented programme.

Seven children from St Hubert’s RC Primary gained C grades along with Jason Tahiri from Christ Church and Sophie Blackwell and Nakita Sangha, from Perryfields.

Lightwoods Primary School pupils Jasmin Malhi, Jessica Pugliese, Amrit Basran, Gavan Aujla and Kieran Dhaliwal also achieved C grades while Rajan Aujla gained a D grade.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children's services Councillor Simon Hackett said: "Well done to these talented young people for their effort and determination in gaining a vital qualification early.

"Education has improved dramatically in Sandwell and we now have the highest number of schools in the midlands rated good in Ofsted reports."