A new job judging top teachers for scientist

A Bristol- based scientist has been appointed a leading judge in the teaching profession's "Oscars".

Baldev Singh, pictured, is the new chairman of the West of England judging panel for the annual Teaching Awards.

Mr Singh won one of the honours himself in 2004, the UK Teaching Award for Innovation, while he was a teacher at John Cabot City Technology College in Bristol.

He had joined the profession after a previous career as a scientist in cancer research.

Mr Singh became head of information and communication technology at the school and developed an innovative curriculum for citizenship.

More recently, Mr Singh has worked in South Africa, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Ukraine.

He and his wife Harpreet, also a teacher, live in Bristol with their a son Raj, 10, and daughter Ish ,14.

The Teaching Awards were founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to highlight exceptional teaching.