Burton-upon-Trent siblings, aged 10 and 13, enjoy exam success

Two high-flying siblings, aged 10 and 13, are celebrating their success in their GCSE and A-level exams.

Ariel, 10, from Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, opened her GCSE results on Thursday to find she had achieved an eight in maths and a nine in chemistry – an A and an A* under the old grading system.

It came after his brother Elias, 13, got three A*s in his chemistry, maths and physics exams last week.

Since the Covid pandemic, the couple have been homeschooled by their older sisters Clara and Juliana, who are both studying at university.

Speaking to BBC Midlands Today, Ariel said: “I’m very happy to have won an eighth and ninth award.”

She said she was currently studying for further GCSEs in biology and physics, and may also tackle a GCSE in English.

Meanwhile, Elias said he was “surprised” by his three A*s and was looking to take A-levels in biology and further maths, as well as a GCSE in English.

“And I’m thinking of applying to Oxford next year,” the teenager added.

Juliana, who is studying for a PhD in bioengineering at Imperial College London, said the whole family was proud of the youngsters’ achievements.

The 23-year-old said that while her siblings were “really good” at studying, they also had other talents: Ariel likes to draw and Elias plays the piano.

“They both have many talents,” she added.

Clara, 21, will also be studying at Imperial College London next year, where she will do a master’s degree in machine learning and big data in physical sciences.

She said teaching her younger siblings was “quite fun” as there were a lot of “chatty moments” between the four of them.

“It’s quite relaxed, there are no time constraints. The playful environment helps them learn well,” she added.

Clara said she and her sister also hope to tutor other children part-time while they are in school.