A war of words has broken out between a school and a brainy pupil who is boycotting classes because he finds the work too boring.


Cliff John, 13, from Cwmbran is refusing to turn up at Fairwater Comprehensive School because he says his studies are not challenging enough.

John, who has an IQ of 147 which places him in the top 3% of the UK, refuses to go back to school unless he is moved up a year to GCSE level said "I feel bad, but what else can I do?", a quote which brings to mind Oscar Wilde at his insightful best.

John's headmaster Stephen Cocks, who really shouldn't have gone into teaching with that surname, responded "An IQ test is not the most appropriate test of all-round ability. His work at school has certainly given no indication that Cliff is of exceptional ability." going on to outline John's appalling attendance record.

Torfaen Borough Council said "The very best place for Ciff to be is in school, where he can get his ability independently assessed. When we did set up a test, he was not in school."

Hang on a minute, let's take a step back and look at the evidence.


A 13 year old boy refuses to go to school because he is bored, his excuse is that he wants to be moved up a year to be offered more of a challenge but his present grades are only average, and when offered to be independently tested he refuses to turn up. Is it only me that smells a rat?

If it wasn't for his meaningless high IQ this boy would be expelled for being a habitual truant and his mother would be up in court answering charges of being an unfit parent and have poor Cliff taken into care.


Threaten the malingering spoilt bastard with those consequences and then see how fast the little fucker packs his satchel.

I suppose Cliff is really being challenged at home what with answering all the questions on 15 to 1 and Countdown and trying to get to level 13 of Tomb Raider on his new Playstation 2.