A NEWPORT teacher has been recognised for his inspirational teaching methods after one of his former students went on to study his subject at Oxford University.

Former Duffryn High School student Joshua Lynbeck, who is reading history at Balliol College, nominated head of history David Perkins for an Inspirational Teacher Award, particularly for his unconventional teaching methods.

Mr Perkins, who was one of 12 teachers to be awarded the prize from Oxford University, regularly uploads YouTube videos where he dresses up as historical characters to inspire his pupils.

His latest video features Queen Elizabeth I dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies.

Mr Perkins, who taught Mr Lynbeck for four years, said he was incredibly proud to see him gain a place at Oxford to study history last year.

"It's a fantastic feeling," he said. "That's actually what you go into the profession for.

"To read some of the things he'd wrote, about how I re-opened his eyes to the possibility of studying history, let alone at Oxford. I'm just incredibly proud."

Mr Perkins said he began making videos in a bid to change the way he presented the information in his classes.

"The key to it is, that they actually remember the information", he added.

"I'm their teacher and I'm putting myself out there and making a bit of fun out of it.

"I often get people singing 'Single Ladies' when they see me around school."

On nominating Mr Perkins, Mr Lynbeck said: "He has some very interesting ideas about teaching methods.

"We appreciated that there was a teacher who was prepared to make a bit of a joke about it and not take himself so seriously."

Mr Perkins was presented with a trophy and £100 Oxford University Press gift voucher at an awards ceremony at Balliol College last week.