A YOUNGSTER from East Cornwall has turned in a stellar performance, after getting top marks in his GCSE astronomy exam — at the tender age of 11.

Oliver Bredmeyer, who is the first-ever primary school pupil to take the exam at Callington Space Centre in nine years, achieved an A* grade.

The young lad, who will begin his secondary education at Devonport High School for Boys next week, completed the usual two-year course in eight months, showing he had a real flare for the subject from the beginning.

Oliver said: 'I have always been quite interested in the sky. The great thing about astronomy is there is so much to learn. I really enjoy going to Callington Space Centre and every time I go, there is something different and interesting.'

Astronomy tutor Clive Purchase said: 'Oliver is a very gifted young man. The course is designed for key stage four level which is aimed at 15 and 16-year-olds but there are some younger children on the course.

'There is quite an element of mathematics in it but I knew that Oliver was going to do well because in the mock exam he scored 116 points which was better than anyone in the class.'

Oliver was tutored for two hours a week learning about the history of astronomy, the solar system and space flight. He had to produce two pieces of coursework and visual observation work using the centre equipment or binoculars.

Mr Purchase said Oliver, a talented science and music student, produced an incredible computer programme for his coursework and his photographic work was also very good.

'I had 19 people on the course and seven of them got A* but Oliver was the youngest, and the first primary school pupil I have ever taught. I am very pleased for all of the students but I think Oliver has a great future ahead of him.'

His mum Aisha said she was very proud of him and his achievements.

She said: 'He has always been very academic and Clive noticed him when he visited Oliver's school at Bishop Cornish. I think Clive was impressed when Oliver started asking him, at the age of four, about "black holes!" Oliver now reads avidly about space and has never lost his interest in the subject.'

Mrs Bredmeyer thanked Mr Purchase, the space centre and Oliver's school for encouraging her son in astronomy.