CHILDREN at a Bournemouth prep school have been spotted throwing jelly at the ceiling and eggs out of the windows.

But they’re not being naughty – they’re enjoying lessons with the South West Primary School Teacher of the Year.

Inspiring science teacher Sue Martin from Talbot House Prep School beat tough opposition to win the regional final in the Teaching Awards 2010.

One colleague told judges: “Sue’s classroom is always buzzing, whether it’s because children are throwing jelly on the ceiling or eggs out of windows to explore forces and motion.”

And judges were told she even helped organise a science-themed birthday party for one of her students, complete with lab coats and Brainiac-style party games.

Judges said: “Sue lives and breathes science and technology and we too felt inspired. “During our visit, one of our judges was given a tub of magical glow-in-the-dark powder which he has since used with his own pupils to demonstrate how bacteria spreads – awesome!”

The awards were handed out during a ceremony at The Assembly Rooms in Bath and also included other award winners from Dorset.

Sylvan First School in Poole was awarded a distinction in the category for sustainable schools and Josephine Barnes from Poole Grammar was commended in the category for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year.

Claire Meadows, a governor at Portchester School in Bournemouth, was commended in the Governor of the Year section.