SCIENCE and Technology Award, sponsored by Queen Mary’s College

A SCIENCE teacher capped off the first year at his new school with an award after being described as the kind of teacher the country needs more of.

Head of science and associate assistant headteacher at Testbourne Community School Dr Richard Wilson won the Science and Technology Award after being picked out for engaging pupils in the sciences.

Richard only joined the Whitchurch school in September but appears to have already had an effect on the school.

He said: “It has been a brilliant year. The students at the school are incredible.

"I feel really privileged (to have won). I was surprised, I didn’t have an idea at all.

“You don’t do it [teaching] for the awards, you do it as you love to teach. But it is really heartening that someone has got inspired from what I do.”

Richard’s nomination read: “He is an amazing science teacher and he really inspires the children.

“He has completely engaged my daughter and made her believe anything is possible for her to achieve in her future career and she just loves science now.

“He organised a science evening for all the parents and children to attend that was in his private time and was fun and inspiring. This country needs more teachers like him, especially in the sciences, and especially who inspire more girls to choose it as a career.”