A SWINDON science teacher has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Pete Scutt, 28, from Lawn, who teaches at Isambard Community School, is one of four teachers shortlisted in the south west finals of the 2010 Teaching Awards for outstanding new teacher of the year.

If successful at the ceremony in Bath on June 15, Mr Scutt will then go through to the national finals in London in October.

Mr Scutt said: “I’m really pleased.

“For me I would love to get to the main national event and compete on a national scale.

“I try to support the students regardless of their ability and I try to find as many possibilities for students to excel through different means.”

Mr Scutt was nominated by a teaching assistant for the award and got told in November.

Since then he has had officials come in to observe his lessons and speak to parents, pupils, teachers and the headteacher about his work.

He found out he had made the shortlist last week.

Mr Scutt’s principal achievement at the school, on Redhouse Way, north Swindon, has been his leading role in setting it up as the first eco secondary school in Wiltshire.

He has also been running a science teaching award scheme that allows pupils to teach Year 6 students and a variety of science competitions with primary and secondary pupils.

Mr Scutt has been at the school for less than two years and it is his first teaching role.

He did his degree in speech and language therapy at the University of Gloucester before taking the road into teaching, following in his parents’ footsteps.

“I really enjoy it. Every day I have enjoyed school,” said Mr Scutt.

“I think it’s seeing students excel, it’s trying to see the students in comparison with other students and that they’re really achieving and performing to their maximum.

“I’m always looking to support the students to make sure they are included and I’m always aware of students’ self esteem.

“It’s what happens outside the classroom as well that’s important, that they are enriched.

“It’s giving them as many options as possible and access to subjects.”

Steve Leigh, assistant headteacher at Isambard Community School, said: “The school is really proud of Pete’s achievements in only his second year of teaching.

“His lessons have been continually outstanding since he joined the school and he makes regular contributions in our sharing good practice programme for training other staff.

“As well as being an exemplary science teacher Pete has driven our eco schools initiative, which resulted in Isambard gaining green flag status earlier this year.

“Pete is a huge asset to the school and we’re just glad he’s one of ours.”