A POPULAR teacher from Sedgley has been nominated for a prestigious award after being described as an “absolute genius” by pupils.

Mark Holder has been at Old Swinford Hospital School in Stourbridge for 11 years and is assistant director of the sixth form.

The 55-year-old married father of two grown up children has been nominated for the Pearson Teaching Awards which give youngters the chance to thank teachers who have made a significant difference in their lives.

Eighteen-year-old students Ellie Fradgley, Dan Brookes and Luke Woodall put Mr Holder forward for the honour.

Ellie said: “Mr Holder is always willing to help and explain anything.

“He has a true passion for his subject and is the kindest, most modest person I have met, despite being an absolute genius.”

Mr Holder studied a degree in Maths and Statistics at Aston University before embarking on a Postgraduate Teaching Qualification at Wolverhampton University.

He said: ”It’s always lovely to get a card or note of thanks at the end of the course, but to be nominated for an award like this is very special.

“It is a privilege to share the subject I love with each new generation of students and I hope to encourage many more to continue with the fascinating world of Maths onto a higher level.”

School headmaster Peter Jones also paid tribute to Mr Holder who he described as “completely dedicated and devoted to his duties as a teacher.”

He said: “In all my years of teaching Mr Holder is without doubt, the kindest most compassionate individual I have ever come across.

“If you couple these wonderful personal characteristics with his exceptional skills as a teacher, Mr Holder is an outstanding role model for all young people and makes him, in my opinion, a truly exceptional and inspirational education professional.”

Award winners will be announced in a programme on BBC2 in October.