Francis Elive, the ‘Maths Whisperer’ whose entire class got A* grades

A mathematics teacher of Fitzalan High School in Leckwith, Cardiff has been nicknamed ‘The Maths Whisperer’ for leading an entire class of 30 pupils to A* grades in GCSE.

Francis Elive, 55, has been receiving accolades since recording that feat. In a bid to achieve top grades, the teenagers sat for their maths exam six months early.

“We call him the maths whisperer, he instills the belief that they have practiced the hardest maths that they have to ever 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.”

The Year 11 class opened their results together, according to assistant headteacher Jo Kemp. “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 realized they had the same,” she said.

Teaching since 1997, Mr. Elive who has been described as a passionate math teacher started teaching this class in Year 7 at the school. “There’s no secret method,” he said. “All my pupils have worked very hard and I’m really proud of them.”

Some pupils almost got full marks in the exam and the school, which got a “double excellent” at their inspection, describes itself as “a highly inclusive and caring community.”

“We couldn’t be prouder of this class and Mr. Elive. They’ve demonstrated that preparation, hard work, and dedication pay off,” the Fitzalan Maths department said, adding that it “couldn’t be prouder” of Mr. Elive

“What an incredible result. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an entire class scoring A* across the board,” Sarah Merry, the cabinet member for education, employment, and skills at Cardiff council said.

“I want to congratulate all the pupils, their teacher Mr. Elive, and of course the school for this wonderful achievement.”