AN Ealing scientist is the winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Excellence in Secondary and Further Education Prize.

Robert Worley’s reaction? “Oxide of magnesium (OMg). I’m gobsmacked and proud [to win this award], and so appreciative of the people who have voted for me,” he said.

As chemistry adviser at CLEAPSS, the local education authorities’ science consortium, he has written many documents, available to teachers.

He has answered thousands of queries from teachers and technicians on safety, storage and waste and has also been influential in the field of microscale chemistry – miniaturising experiments.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “Mr Worley has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to chemistry education.”