Unconventional teacher hits the big time

9:06am Monday 22nd October 2007

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A MAVERICK Dorset teacher rubbed shoulders with celebrities at the National Teaching Awards last night.

Mark Cavill missed out on a top award but was singled out for his unconventional teaching technique at the televised London Palladium ceremony.

Mr Cavill, from Budmouth Technology College, was one of 11 teachers from the South of England nominated by pupils for a national prize.

He was named Secondary School Teacher of the Year for the region in the summer.

The English teacher - renowned for his lightsaber duels with pupils in the classroom - triumphed over 6,700 nominated teachers nationwide to make the London finals.

His pupils and colleagues saw him join a host of famous names at the ceremony, which was screened on BBC2 last night.

Judges observed Mr Cavill in the classroom and were amazed how many activities he could pack into his lessons - losing count at 12.

He said he tries to keep his relationship with pupils as interactive, positive and humorous as possible.

"I hope I make them comfortable and relaxed and make them feel lessons are worth attending," he said.

Mr Cavill, an Advanced Skills teacher, also crawls under desks and pretends they are trenches when reading First World War poetry.

Budmouth's vice principal Vince Jones praised Mr Cavill for the impact his lessons have on pupils. He said: "In the words of one student, he even makes Macbeth interesting.'"

The show was presented by BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine and co-hosted by Kate Thornton and attended by Dame Kelly Holmes, Moira Stewart, Connie Fisher, Konnie Huq, Nicki Chapman and Elisabeth Sladen.

The ritzy ceremony was the culmination of a weekend of celebration - which included a gala dinner hosted by Lord Puttnam, chair of the Teaching Awards.

Lord Puttnam said: "As ever, our judges have found a group of unique individuals with inspiring minds and outstanding commitment to the nations' schools."