Lancaster maths whizz who had eyesight saved by NHS passes GCSE maths with flying colours at age of 11

Kyden Waite has undergone numerous operations to help him see since being born with bilateral congenital cataracts in his eyes.

The 11-year-old would have been left blind without the expertise of the NHS staff at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

Kyden, who lives in Galgate with mum Alina and dad Janik, has had eye surgery 15 times and spent much of his first years fighting for his sight.

During that time he developed many secondary complications, including glaucoma, which will need to be monitored for the rest of his life.

To this day he still visits Manchester Royal Eye Hospital for regular appointments.

But last year Kyden had an idea to help the NHS and say thank you to everyone who has helped him along the way.

And in November he sat his EDEXCEL Higher GCSE in mathematics - and today found out his fate.

Incredibly, Kyden scored 229 out of 240 marks - a Grade 9 under the new GCSE grading system, which is higher than the nearest equivalent of a former A*.

Proud dad Janik said: "Absolutely unreal! He only dropped 11 marks over the three papers, I can’t believe it!

"He needed to get over 189 to get a Grade 9. If there was a Grade 10, he’d have got that too!

"That’s higher than an A* in old terms! So proud! Well done Kyden, such an achievement!"

Janik had been helping teach Kyden during lockdown, but said he is now happy to leave A-level maths for when the youngster starts at Lancaster Royal Grammar School in September.

"Kyden enjoys maths so much, he’ll keep busy with national challenges that the UKMT [UK Mathematics Trust] organise," Janik said. "They have competitions up to a senior level that will challenge him for a while."

As we reported in October, Kyden has shown an understanding of maths from a young age - and told his teachers he wanted to be a rocket scientist when he was just four.

And he has been able to combine his love of the subject with his fundraiser for NHS Charities Together.

Kyden, who goes to Ellel St John’s Primary School, has so far raised almost £4,000.

If you want to support Kyden's appeal, go online here.