Leeds 'child genius' amazes teachers after breezing through mental maths challenge

Seven-year-old Millie Smith, from Pudsey, is the youngest in her school to achieve 'Rock Hero' status on the Times Tables Rock Stars app

Millie Smith, from Pudsey, is the youngest in her school to achieve 'Rock Hero' status on the Times Tables Rock Stars app, which challenges pupils to answer multiplication and division sums as quickly as possible.

Millie, who is in Year 3, has an average time of 0.99 seconds for each answer - smashing through 60 sums in one minute.

She is fifth in the leaderboard at Southroyd Primary School, above many students in Year 5 and 6.

Millie with proud mum Carly Marriott, 34

Her family say they are bursting with pride for their "child genius", who was also moved to the year above for reading and writing classes.

Proud mum Carly Marriott, 34, said: "The teachers couldn’t believe it, they’ve gone on the app to try and beat her and they can’t!

"She’s really clever, like a little Matilda. She was reading 100 page books at four years old.

"I’m so proud, her mindset is incredible. She fixes on something and she’ll teach herself until she smashes it, then she’s onto the next thing."

The Times Tables Rock Stars app was introduced into the curriculum at Southroyd Primary School in April, when pupils were studying from home due to the lockdown.

Millie has climbed up the leaderboard over the summer and dreams of becoming a mathematician and an inventor when she grows up.

Headtacher Miss Prior said: "We are very proud of Millie, she has proven that practice works. She is very quick indeed."

Ms Marriott added: "She’s the positive vibe in the whole family, she’s just amazing.

"I’ve been reading to her since she was born, I’m an avid reader myself but I’m absolutely rubbish at maths. She’s teaching me now!

"With all the doom and gloom and all the pressure the children have had on them lately, to have that attitude is amazing and we could probably all learn something from her."

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