Despite having no formal training, the unassuming Leeds 14-year-old has already written six musicals and more than 100 songs.

About to set up his own production company, Curtis is tipped for the top by his teachers at the David Young community academy (DYCA) in Seacroft.

"In 17 years of teaching, I have never met anyone like Curtis," said the school's head of performing arts, Andrew Renshaw.

"He is a phenomenal talent, just so naturally gifted. It's not just the quantity of songs he produces, but the quality. I've no doubt he could be a huge star one day."

Curtis, who joined the school when it opened two years ago, lives just a few street away from the DYCA. He arrives at school at about 6.30am every day and is the last to leave at 7pm so he make use of the school's music facilities, which includes a recording studio.

To date, he has written 109 songs, teaching himself how to play the piano in order to record them.

"I first remember singing when I was about six," said Curtis. "I was in a bingo club and had a go on the karaoke.

"The DJ said I might not be able to see the words because I was very small. After I started singing, everybody came in from the bingo hall and started clapping because they could hear me.

"After that, I started singing and playing piano in primary school. When I went to my previous high school (Agnes Stewart in Burmantofts], that didn't have a piano so I had to stop. The music facilities here are great so I was able to pick it up again."

Curtis's styles range from rock and pop to jazz and rap and his influences include Al Jolson and Neil Diamond. He's a leading member of the school's choir and recently starred in a school production of Joseph.

Bosses at the school want the level-headed youngster to carry on his studies.

"We want to make sure Curtis get a good grounding in education," said the academy's principal, Ros McMullen. "We don't want him touring around talent show auditions. He's far too good for that."