A FIRST class teacher is up for a top award.

David Teasdale is one of just four teachers shortlisted for the 2016 School Biology Teacher of the Year Award by the Royal Society of Biology.

The accolade aims to identify and recognise the very best and most inspiring biology teachers in secondary school and sixth form in the UK.

The Bolton School teacher was invited to take part in last year's International Science on Stage Festival after he set up an Animal Care Club with pupils lovingly caring for mice, cockroaches, stick insects, a snake and a bearded dragon. The club has been judged by the UK’s National Steering Committee as one of the country’s best teaching ideas.

Mr Teasdale, who has been teaching for four years, and lives in Heaton, said: "I'm surprised and happy at being shortlisted.

"It is a reflection both of the hard work that I have put in and the support I have received from the school and the biology department.

"My head of department, Marc Tillotson, has been particularly influential in encouraging and supporting me."

He added: "Bolton School is an amazing environment to work in.

"We have great students; they are all so interested in the subject that it makes my job a pleasure.

"The colleagues at my school are fantastic to work with. They are so knowledgeable and generous with their time. I learn so much from working with them.

"I had some outstanding teachers at school, some of whom I am now lucky enough to work with.

"The ‘evergreen’ Dr Nick Morgan was my biology teacher at school and he convinced me to read biology at university.

"Dr James Reeson made classical civilization my favourite A-level with his hilarious and incredibly engaging lessons.

"My mother is a brilliant teacher. I find her determination to coax the best out of all her students inspiring."

The 26-year-old believes that science should be a hands-on subject stating: "At its core the joy of it comes from discovering new things through experimentation.

"Enrichment activities play a crucial role in allowing students to pursue and explore their interests."

He has set up a club called New Biology Society where students meet to discuss the latest issues within biology.

Mr Teasdale said: "Sessions are often themed around a question such as 'Should we bring back the woolly mammoth?' or 'Are you smarter than slime mould?'.

"Discussion of these topics often leads to student-led practical work.

"Our current project is a joint international venture with a school in Holland, we are conducting experiments to try to understand the behaviour of slime mould. Our end goal is to use stop motion video to film the mould growing into a word of our choosing. "

The exotic animal care club proved to be so popular that more animals have joined and the birth of baby cockroaches was celebrated.

Mr Teasdale said: "Having the collection of animals also allows us to carry out outreach work for example a local SEN school visit the department regularly to handle and learn about the animals."

And said the teacher, there are no arts and science students,

He said: "This year the school’s production is Doctor Faustus.

"Knowledge and magic are strong themes within the play. I saw an opportunity to break down barriers between arts and science and recruited a team of students to be magicians to demonstrate a series of science-based tricks. "The aim is to amaze and educate the audience about the scientific principles behind the tricks.

"The performers will display their tricks to members of the audience during the interval of the play and at a separate exhibition linked to the production."

For the final stage of judging the four finalists will submit a short case study which highlights how they have enhanced their students’ learning. These case studies will be made publicly available on the society's website following the announcement of the winner later this year.

The winner will receive £500 for themselves and up to £500 of free Oxford University Press resources for their school. The winner will also receive prizes from UK 3B Scientific Ltd and STEM Learning for their classroom.

Dr Mark Downs chief executive of the Royal Society of Biology said: “Excellent teachers have a profound and positive effect on their students’ learning; widening their career choices and increasing their self-confidence and aspirations. The entrants for this year’s award are teaching outstanding and innovative lessons which inspire and enthuse their students.

"Many congratulations to our shortlisted and highly commended teachers.”