TEACHING is not rocket science for an Orpington woman who is on course to win a national competition.

Janice Webb, 42, a science teacher from Poverest Primary School, in Poverest Road, Orpington, has reached the regional finals of the National Science Teacher of the Year award.

The popular teacher defies the laws of physics by actually making science fun for her pupils.

She was nominated by Poverest headteacher Susan Jeffries for her ever-popular, out-of-school hours clubs which reward school children for completing science experiments.

The Mosquito Road, West Malling, resident faces stiff competition from more than 100 other teachers in the contest, which is organised by the National Association of Science Teachers and sponsored by a national newspaper.

Miss Webb, who may be crowned top science teacher in December, said: "I never expected to get this far.

"It is a tribute to the children as well as the staff and governors at the school we can get this far.

"Perhaps we can even go on and win it."

November 5, 2001 10:10