I still have time for watching TV

Jessal Shah, 13

The brothers, who live in Harrow, north-west London, have both being studying their courses for only nine months.

But they have not been pushed into taking the exams by their parents - their enjoyment of the subject is clear.

They started after their mother Nita saw a newspaper article about the college and showed it to Jessal, who expressed an interest in attending.

Miraj also wanted to join, and now both are expected to score well in their exams.

Neha Panda: Sitting maths GCSE aged nine

"It's interesting," said Miraj. "We started doing it a little bit at school, and I like computers.

"Sometimes I don't understand things, but then the teacher explains them to me. My friends think I am quite clever. They think it's quite interesting as well."

Jessal said: "I wanted to do it because I think it's a good opportunity.

"We've got a computer at home, and about two years before I started here I started messing around with things. If something goes wrong, I try to fix it.

It's not that scary - I'm quite confident about the exam

Neha Panda, nine

"I love computers, and read computer magazines. I like learning more about them. I thought I might as well do the A-level - I've never done one before.

"I don't find it difficult. I do about three or four hours of homework for it a week, but I organise my time, and I still have time for watching TV.

Teachers can give a lot of individual attention to pupils

"My friends thinks it's cool, as all of them like computers too."

The boys' parents said that unlike Ryde, many schools did not have the funds to provide adequate information technology facilities.

Ryde's practical classes typically involve only five pupils.

Mrs Shah said: "Lots of parents are quite keen to see their kids do well.

Confidence boost

"Computers are the future, and it's especially important for children to learn if their parents aren't really into computers. But it was the boys' decision to come here."

Her husband Jinit, an independent financial advisor, said: "Their confidence has shot up. It's knowing that they're doing something that a 16 or 18-year-old does which has boosted their confidence, and is a positive thing.

"I think if children have an interest we should encourage them."

Another parent, Sabita Panda, was somewhat taken aback by her young daughter's learning capabilities.

Sabita Panda: "My daughter is no Einstein"

Neha has only recently turned nine, but is sitting her maths GCSE exam this summer.

Sabita said: "She's very good at maths, so in October we came here to see what the college was all about. We didn't expect her to be taking a GCSE.

"Like every parent, I think she's good, but she's no Einstein. But she finds it interesting, and education is important.

"As a result of studying for the exam, she's getting better at school generally, and she still does lots of other things - ballet, guitar, clarinet - nothing's been compromised."

Neha said: "I don't think it's that difficult, and it's not that scary - I'm quite confident about the exam.

"When I grow up I'll have lots of other subjects to do, and this will make room for something else.

"My friends are proud of me. I help them with their maths sometimes, and that makes me quite happy."