GRADES, results and academic performance have become so important from an early age that students are looking for anything to give them the edge.

This used to mean opening windows to increase oxygen to their rooms, eating "brain food" such as fish, and drinking coffee to stay awake and cram all night.

However, today's desire to scrutinise all aspects of pupil performance has led many students to more scientific methods of out-of-school learning, such as Kumon maths.

The step-by-step learning system, which originated in Japan 40 years ago, now has 540 study centres across the UK and eight in Worcestershire. It encourages pupils of all abilities to enjoy learning and take work at their own pace.

Students progress through worksheets, starting with basic mathematics, such as addition and subtraction, and working towards A-level standards, such as complex algebra.

Pupils can only move on to the next level when they have correctly completed and understood the previous worksheet, ensuring a solid foundation in all principles of maths.

"Students attend the class twice a week and study for up to half an hour," said Rachel Tobin, instructor at Worcester Kumon study centre.

"On the days when students do not attend the centre, they complete a small amount of work at home.

"It's only about 10 minutes a day but they have to do it without fail - even on Christmas Day. With daily practice, they master the basics and develop good concentration which will help them to cope with higher level maths."

The system is suitable for all students - whether they are behind with their studies and wish to catch up, or are keen to gain an advantage at school.

Karen Hill, whose 11-year-old son, David, has been studying Kumon maths for almost six years, has seen a massive change in both his ability and all-round confidence.

"David was diagnosed with dyspraxia when he was younger and was experiencing some language-related problems," said Mrs Hill. "We thought if he could develop his mathematics it might help him, and Kumon claimed to raise confidence through learning.

"It has given him a tremendous advantage over other pupils in the subject, and he is now learning things like linear equations years before they teach it at school.

However, Mrs Hill, whose 17 and 14-year-old daughters now help out at the Kumon centre, was equally impressed by the confidence he has gained in other areas of school life.

"He now believes he can be successful where previously he always felt he would be behind his classmates," she said. "It's been very satisfying to see the change and everything has improved - from schoolwork to swimming."

After a "diagnostic test" - which examines starting ability - each pupil can work from their own level at their own speed, with the knowledge that they are not being left behind.

"It sounds strange but there is very little teaching involved in Kumon," said Mrs Tobin, who runs courses from centres in Powick and Malvern. "If a child is having particular problems then, of course, we help.

"But I have taught in a lot of primary schools and I know if you sit beside them and help the children through their work, you will end up doing all of it and they will gain very little."

Mrs Tobin teaches 55 pupils in all - 20 in Powick and 35 in Malvern - and such is the simplicity of the system, the course can also be completed by post.

"Most of the children are from local primary schools but I have had one person sending work from Kidderminster and another from as far away as Wales," she said. "It has very wide appeal and it really can boost a child's confidence."

Kumon recently awarded David Hill - who will go to The Chantry High School, in Martley, this September - a watch for passing his latest tests with "excellence".

Other incentives also form a large part of the course, and this year students at both local centres have gained a record number of gold, silver and bronze medals for their work.

And Kumon's success in the county is such that Mrs Tobin has now launched an English course at her centre in Powick Parish Hall.

"The English programme is fantastic; it runs along similar lines to Kumon maths and aims to develop a real love of lifelong reading for students," said Mrs Tobin, who opened the Powick centre seven years ago.

The course costs £41 a month. Anyone interested in Kumon maths or English should contact their local Kumon centre:

Bromsgrove - Maths centre. Call Veronica Warner on 01527 837807.

Evesham - Maths and English centre. Call Freda Watson on 01386 881264.

Kidderminster - Maths centre. Call Roz Lathe on 01299 871124.

Malvern North - Maths centre. Call Rachel Tobin on 01905 423724.

Redditch - Maths centre. Call Seema Shelat on 01564 829301.

Worcester East - Maths and English centre. Call Pamela Collins on 01684 297720.

Worcester South - Maths and English centre. Call Freda Watson on 01386 881264

Worcester West - Maths and English centre. Call Rachel Tobin on 01905 423724.