I Was A Child Prodigy

He won a gold medal and scored full marks in the International Maths Olympiad in 1981.

He went on to Cambridge, intent on staying there to become a professor. Tiring of academic life, however, he entered the church. Has he any regrets?

Chris Ledgard meets a vicar who was a maths whizz as a child.

Chris Ledgard meets vicar Mark Bennet, who was one of the brightest schoolboy mathematicians of his generation. From 2008.

He meets Mark Bennet, a vicar in Essex who was one of the brightest schoolboy mathematicians of his generation. He won a gold medal and scored full marks in the International Maths Olympiad in 1981. He went on to Cambridge, intent on staying there to become a professor. Tiring of academic life, however, he entered the church. Has he any regrets?

Chris Ledgard meets Mark Bennet, an Essex vicar who was a brilliant young mathematician.

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She won a place at the prestigious Chetham's School in Manchester, where she was a classmate of Anna Markland, BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1982.

But she can't find a job and doesn't understand why her talents seem to mean nothing to potential employers.

Jocelyn and Anna reflect on their fortunes since leaving school.

Chris Ledgard meets Jocelyn Lavin, who shone academically and musically at primary school.

Jocelyn Lavin and Anna Markland were both musically gifted from an early age. They reflect on life since school. From 2008.

Jocelyn Lavin shone both academically and musically at primary school. She won a place at the prestigious Chetham's School in Manchester, where she was a classmate of Anna Markland, BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1982. But she can't find a job and doesn't understand why her talents seem to mean nothing to potential employers. Jocelyn and Anna reflect on their fortunes since leaving school.

Jocelyn Lavin shone both academically and musically at school, but cannot find a job.

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Demis Hassabis was once the highest-ranked 12-year-old chess player in the world.

He wanted a career in chess and hoped one day to become world champion.

Then he gave up playing the game seriously, a decision he doesn't regret.

Why does chess have such a hold on so many bright young people?

International Masters Bill Hartston and Malcolm Pein join the debate.

Chris Ledgard meets Demis Hassabis, who was a top chess player as a 12-year-old.

Demis Hassabis was once the world's highest-ranked 12-year-old chess player. So why did he quit playing seriously? From 2008.

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Jonathan Cocking could read Shakespeare and remember number sequences at the age of three.

In 1950, he featured in the national press.

But Jonathan firmly denies that he was a prodigy and has been living down the label ever since.

Chris Ledgard meets Jonathan Cocking, who could read Shakespeare at the age of three.

Jonathan Cocking could read Shakespeare and remember long number sequences at three. Why does he deny he was a prodigy? From 2008.

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Then he found Professor Carol Dweck of Stanford University, whose theories David believes offer important lessons to anyone dealing with a gifted child.

Chris Ledgard learns important lessons for anyone dealing with a gifted child.

Retired civil servant David Heigham offers some important lessons to anyone dealing with a gifted child. From 2008.

Retired civil servant David Heigham spent years looking for someone to explain why his schooling left him incapable of fulfilling his intellectual talents. Then he found Professor Carol Dweck of Stanford University, whose theories David believes offer important lessons to anyone dealing with a gifted child.

Retired civil servant David Heigham's schooling failed to fully nurture his talents. Why?

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