Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Cardiff school is celebrating after an entire class of GCSE pupils received A* in maths.

The 30 pupils at Fitzalan High School even took the exam six months early - not bad at all when stats show that only 14% pupils sitting the exam in Wales achieve that top grade.

The Year 11 group now refer to teacher Francis Elive as "the maths whisperer" as some of the class even came close to achieving full marks.

Assistant head teacher Jo Kemp said: ""We did a countdown so they all opened their results at the same time.

"There was a gasp as they saw their results and then all realised they had the same."

She said the pupils had been taught to believe by the teacher they had had since the start of secondary school.

"He's passionate about his subject and he is quite a reserved man but he was just on pins like an expectant dad - how you would want a teacher of your children to be feeling," she said.

"We call him the maths whisperer, he instills the belief that they have practised the hardest maths that they have to ever to face so why be scared of an exam?

"It's the belief that they absolutely can do it, and the children think it's magic."

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Tiger By Juniors FC said on Twitter: "Fitzalan and our pupils making history again.

"Francis is a legend of a teacher. This is a great achievement for our local school. This is an indicator of the direction we are heading. Onwards and upwards."

Another said: "As much as I’m a believer of it not being all about grades, this is an awesome indictment of the pupils, their teacher and the school as a whole. Well done, everyone."

The Fitzalan Maths department said: "We couldn't be prouder of this class and Mr Elive. They've demonstrated that preparation, hard work and dedication pay off.

Local MP Kevin Brennan said: "What an amazing achievement."