A MATHEMATICIAN, who crafted his numbers skills as a toddler with Thomas the Tank Engine calculations, is on the track to success after gaining a place at Cambridge.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College student Ted While will read computer science at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, after gaining four A*s in his A Levels.
“My earliest memory of maths is lying in bed listening to Thomas the Tank Engine stories but my dad would use the engine numbers to teach me maths,” said the 18-year-old, of Richmond.
“So I knew Thomas plus Edward equalled Henry and from there I always absolutely loved maths. Later I became interested in computer games – not just playing but editing the files too!”
Ted sees his future in something to do with computers and maths but is aware of the speed of development across the world of technology.
“Who knows what will be happening in the world by the time I have finished my degree,” said Ted, who also has a part-time job managing a national top 10 bed and breakfast, Millgate House in Richmond.
“It will probably involve biometrics, where computers adopt human characteristics and think for themselves, which is incredible but a bit scary.”
Head of sixth form Leslie Richardson said: “As a mathematician myself I’m absolutely thrilled that Ted has gained a place at one of the world’s best universities thanks to some stupendous results. He is extremely talented and has also worked hard for his success.
“Going into a rapidly changing future is so exciting and he will be in the perfect position to be at the forefront of technological developments which affect us all.”