A group of students have been accepted into MENSA after obtaining IQ scores higher than Albert Einstein, Bill Gates and Stephen Hawking.

The eight Debden Park High School youngsters achieved the scores when tested by British Mensa, the prestigious High IQ society, at the end of the summer term.

13-year-old Jake Phillips, who took the test alongside 18 other students, achieved the school's highest score - 161, putting him in the country's top one per cent for IQ.

Year 9 pupils Jake Phillips, Shwan Saddiq, Ethan Fowler, Millie Everett, Shanice Lolomari and Sophie Rowsen, along with Year 11 student Jack Wingrove and Year 8s Amy McGrath and Ethan Fowler, have all been invited to join Mensa after they made the top two per cent, achieving scores higher than 148.

The exam is designed to test a range of cognitive abilities in maths, English and science to determine the level of intelligence of the student, in the UK, the average score is 100.

Assessment leader Dr Andrew Hogan said: "We are delighted that these students have been recognised by Mensa.

"It again demonstrates the extraordinary talents students at our school possess, and mirrors the success we had this summer with 18 per cent of our students achieving five or more A and A* grades at GCSE. 

"We are very proud of their success."