AN ISLE of Wight school teacher has won the University of Oxford Inspirational Teacher Award after being nominated by a former pupil.

Sam Lapham, who is studying at Oxford, nominated his old English teacher Richard Dunsterville from The Bay CE School.

The scheme allows talented students, who have come from schools that do not have a track record of having pupils go to Oxford, to nominate a teacher who inspired or supported them.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely offered his praise to the inspirational teacher.

“I am delighted a teacher from The Bay has won this award and I thank Sam for nominating Mr Dunsterville,” Mr Seely said.

“Both pupil and teacher have set a great example of what Islanders can do and how excellence can be achieved.

“A teacher that is able to inspire a pupil to realise their potential is something we must recognise and promote and I congratulate them both.”

Mr Dunsterville, who is head of the English department at the school, will now attend a formal awards ceremony and dinner at Oxford in May.