Pupils at a school in Westminster are learning from a world champion after teacher Scott Rider won an event at the World Highland Games Championships in Scotland.

The 38-year-old Portland Place PE teacher took home gold in Heavy Events after defeating American rival and defending champ Dan McKim.

Competing in a major sporting event is nothing new to Mr Rider. He has also won the Braemar Highland Games four times, been part of team GB Shot-put team at the Commonwealth Games three times and was in the British Bobsleigh team in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

He now hopes he can inspire pupils at the school in Portland Place. He said: “I hope my achievements in sport help to encourage my pupils and Portland Place.

“I have wanted to win this title since 2007, when I first invited to contest the World Championships. It has taken me nine years to finally achieve my ambition.

“I hope to show the pupils that if you are passionate enough about something and put your best effort into it, you can achieve anything.”

Portland Place headmaster, David Hyman added: “Scott is a great role model as a PE teacher and the pupils look up to him. To have a world champion as one of their teachers is exceptional and very inspirational for them.”

In 2015 Portland place pupil Millie Mason leaped to victory at an international show jumping competition in Spain.

Watch Maxim Chechnev tackle a Rubik's Cube blindfolded during a visit to Portland Place School

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