A BARRY teacher has been honoured with an Oxford University award – after being nominated by one of her former pupils.

Ceri Anwen James, who teaches German at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, was nominated for the Inspirational Teacher award by former pupil Ruth Pilcher.

Ruth, who is now studying History at St John's College in Oxford, said in her nomination for Miss James: "My German teacher and form tutor, Miss Ceri Anwen James, was an absolute inspiration, educationally and personally.

"Her innovative teaching methods, including singing, making rhymes, encouraging short plays and various other exercises, helped students immeasurably to learn a language as complicated as German."

Miss James said she was shocked when she found out that she had won.

"I was quite embarrassed really, because Ruth was such an inspirational pupil to teach. All I did was to encourage her on her way," she said.

Oxford University launched its first ‘Inspirational Teacher’ awards this year, with a selection of first year students asked to nominate teachers that helped them through the application process and supported them during their studies.

Ruth, who studied German at GCSE and A-Level a year earlier than other students, added. "Miss James is an exceptionally understanding person and would go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that everyone under her care was coping with the workload, not buckling under the stress of university applications, and generally in a healthy state of mind."

The winning teachers receive £50 of book vouchers to use in their school or college and a framed certificate signed by Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Hamilton.

Miss James also described some of her ‘innovative teaching methods’ that Ruth praised her for.

"We do quite a lot of singing because I think singing is a really effective way of learning a language," she explained.

"If it has a rhythm and melody it’s easier to remember."

Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Oxford, said: "We started the Inspirational Teachers Award as a way of recognising the importance of school or college teachers as a particular source of encouragement and inspiration to students.

"These teachers inspired students in their successful applications to Oxford, but also clearly helped raise the aspirations of others, and did their best to encourage all their students to realise their own potential."