To be honest , I'm not really suprised. I'm going to be 18 when I'll gain my CPL + IR, I only have GCSE's and HNC Travel & Tourism. I wouldn't be able to get the HNC if I didn't go to school early. Maybe that's the reason for his A levels, etc. A lot of people went and still go to school early, and they finish early too.
There's loads of people at the age 18/19 with a fATPL, so it's not that suprising ..