12 year old completes university level maths programme

Warren Li has been studying Kumon maths since he was five and a half years old. Earlier this year he completed a journey which saw Warren progress from basic addition to a standard comparable with University maths. Having completed the programme, Warren was awarded a certificate and trophy at Kumon's High Level Student Ceremony awards (HLSC). The ceremony was held at Liverpool's BT Convention Centre and was also hosted by Warren.

Warren who lives in Osbaldwick, York, worked on his Kumon every day teaching himself among other topics, algebra; simultaneous equations; square roots; trigonometric functions and differential calculus. His parents originally enrolled Warren on the programme as they wanted to ensure he was continually stimulated. And every week since then he has been attending class sessions at the Kumon study centre in York, Fulford.

Kumon's learning method takes students through a structured programme at their own pace, which comprises 21 levels with 200 worksheets per level. Students start at a point which they will find simple and follow the programme through to completion, with the level of complexity increasing gradually. This method aims to develop independent study in each student, complementing the national curriculum and challenging them to study beyond their school level.

Twice a year students are awarded bronze, silver and gold medals in recognition of their achievements and progressions. Warren has used Kumon to reach an unprecedented level however, studying what could best be described as foundation level university mathematics and completing the entire programme in Year Seven. He says:

"Kumon has helped me to develop independent learning skills and allowed me to progress in maths at my own pace. Last year, I obtained an A* in my maths GCSE. I was also thrilled and relieved when I completed my last Kumon maths worksheet earlier this year. My enthusiasm for maths and a longing to learn more is what kept me going all this time. Maths is a fab subject and I still have a lot to learn even after completing the whole Kumon maths progamme. I have learnt a lot throughout this experience and I will continue to use this knowledge in the future to become an environmental scientist and preserve nature."

Warren was a special guest speaker at last years' ceremony in Manchester where he presented to over 300 Kumon parents, children and Instructors from across the North of England about his personal Kumon journey. Naturally, Warren's family is proud of his success – his mother Shaohong Tan says:

"We are extremely proud of Warren's achievements, and hope Ricky (Warren's younger brother) will follow in his footsteps. I'm so glad to have discovered Kumon many years ago and am very grateful for the encouragement and help from the centre over the years. In fact the boys have now started Kumon English as well, which they enjoy very much – they are determined to carry on with their Kumon journey!"

Jenny Scanlon has been Warren's Instructor at Fulford ever since he first started the programme back in 2003. She says:

"Warren has really taken responsibility for his own work and has been independent in his study of the Kumon worksheets. He has shown perseverance and determination to find solutions to problems put before him. Warren is a great inspiration not only to other students in the study centre but across the North of England. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch Warren succeed and flourish at every stage and develop into a responsible mature boy. Congratulations Warren".

So what's next for Warren? Well, he's now enrolled on the Kumon English programme and again has completion in his sights. He is also a great support to his little brother Ricky who studies at the same centre and is also aiming for completion.