AN 11-year-old school pupil has been hailed one of the best young mathematicians in the county after scoring full marks in one of the toughest SATs exams in recent years.

Aadi Kiran, of Blackburn’s Longshaw Junior School, achieved 100 per cent in his Sats Maths.

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Deputy head Jonathan Berry said it is only the second time in 10 years he has seen this kind of result and the exam was “somewhat easier” back then.

The Government introduced a tougher curriculum in a bid to raise standards, which means they cannot be compared to previous year’s results.

Mr Berry said: “We have had some fantastic results and this is the icing on the cake.

“I’ve only came across this once in my 10 year career.

“We are so proud of him. For a child to achieve not only high marks but full marks is a testament of his hard work and his teachers.

“They have done a really good job.

“The paper was exceptionally difficult and to get 100 per cent was an incredible achievement.

“Aadi, his family and myself are very proud of him.”

Mr Berry said the test has been made more difficult and although another pupil had once achieved full marks, the test at that time was easier.

He said: “Aadi shows excellent natural aptitude for maths, but he also has worked extremely hard to get such a result.

“The other children in his class also did very well in the SATs.”

The new standards have been condemned by teachers’ unions.

Kevin Courtney, acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said the pressures on pupils this year had been severe, and youngsters had been disengaged from the curriculum by preparing for tests.

Meanwhile, the headteacher of Worsthorne Primary School, Louise Young, has started a petition urging the Government to scrap the new tests.