A TEACHER has been invited to meet the Prime Minister, for a second time, in recognition of his contribution to public services.

Before Tony Blair steps down as Prime Minister on June 27, one of his last public engagements will be to entertain invited guests at a reception at Lancaster House, in London.

One of the guests at the event, to be held on June 13, will be Dr Richard Spencer, a biology teacher at Bede Sixth Form College, in Billingham.

Dr Spencer attended 10 Downing Street last year, as Further Education Teacher of the Year. Since then, he has won a second national Star Award, as national Outstanding Subject Learning Coach, and gained further recognition when he was named Regional Champion for eLearning, at Newcastle's Life Centre.

Dr Spencer said: "I'm really excited about meeting Mr Blair again. I was going to say it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I suppose it's twice in a lifetime now."

Dr Spencer recalled his first meeting with the Prime Minister, saying: "We only had a very brief chat, but I was struck by how down to earth he was."

Although he was impressed with the Prime Minister's residence, Dr Spencer admitted he was not that taken with the food at the last reception.

He said: "It was all very posh canapes. I was starving afterwards, and had to get a burger from round the corner."

Dr Spencer's passion for teaching extends beyond his college, across age groups and nationalities.

In the past six months, he has entertained primary pupils during Science Week, organised a masterclass for Tees Valley sixth-form students, inspired teachers at workshops up and down the country, and represented the United Kingdom at a European festival of innovative science teaching, in France.

He said: "The first time I was invited was for teaching, but this time I think it's for sharing good practice.

"My teaching methods are a bit unusual - I include music and dance in my lessons to get things across, and the students love it.

"One of the things I invented was the DNA Boogie, to demonstrate movement, and some of the students tell me they have even performed it in nightclubs and discos."