We are giving you the chance to vote for your best teacher... to help inspire you, we asked some well known faces to name their favourites

SOME may have left school more than 65 years ago, but they say a good teacher stays with you forever. Now, Swindon’s famous faces are backing the Adver’s search for the town’s top teacher.

From MPs to artists and publicans to sportsmen, everyone has a favourite teacher whose dedication and brilliance has helped shape them.

Our competition will see one lucky teacher take to the skies in a Virgin hot air balloon flight with a champagne reception for them waiting when they get back to firmer ground.

We have been inundated with nominations but parents and pupils still have until June 13 to make sure their favourite teacher has been put forward.

Adver newspaper sales manager, Rachael Youd, said: “The response has been great so far – it looks like we have some fantastic teachers in Swindon.

“This is a great opportunity to thank hard working teachers who help shape our children’s lives.

“I wish I had this chance when I was a school pupil - instead I gave an apple to my favourite teacher but I am sure they would have preferred a hot air balloon ride.”

Robert Buckland, 42, South Swindon MP, St Michael’s School in Llanelli in Wales... favourite teacher:

Miss Charles

“She really taught me to understand and appreciate literature and to ask questions about the meaning of things, whether it is poetry or prose. She taught me to get underneath the subject rather than just look at it superficially.

“She really opened my eyes to understanding English and how to enjoy written English and how to write it as well. I enjoy reading and literature to this day and I think I owe it to her.”

Andrew Miller, 52, Swindon College principal, The Bishop School in Hereford... favourite teacher:

Mr Potter

“He made maths so much fun for all the class and was really well prepared. He came up with different ideas and I just found his approach to maths really worked.

“He was a really inspiring teacher. It is difficult to teach maths, to make it fun and to bring it to life. I always remember him.”

Rex Barnett, 72, former mayor, Rodbourne Cheney Primary School...

favourite teacher:

Miss Smith

“Miss Smith was the teacher that I remember most, and what I remember about her was that she always used to pick on me to spell the word ‘linoleum’ because she knew I couldn’t ever spell it correctly. She was a really nice, lovely lady, but that stands out in my memory. I wasn’t very good at English at school, I didn’t get on with punctuation very well, but maths was my favourite.

“Miss Smith was the one that, when I was three-years-old and first went to school, would put us all to bed for an hour in the afternoon at Rodbourne Cheney. We had little pull-out beds... it was great.

Justin Tomlinson, 33, North Swindon MP, Harry Cheshire High School, Kidderminster... favourite teacher:

Mr Jaeger

“Mr Jaeger, my head of sixth form, was my favourite teacher. My friend was always moping around, feeling sorry for himself. Mr Jaeger called him into his office and asked if he was hungry. My friend was confused and said ‘I guess so’. He was then asked if he knew when he would next eat – again confused, he said ‘lunchtime’.

“Then he asked if he was a starving Ethiopian. After saying no, he was told to get out and appreciate what he had – an extreme lesson, maybe, but the principle of being grateful for the opportunities we all have has stuck with me for ever.”

Rod Bluh, 55, leader of Swindon Council, Yeovil Convent... favourite teacher:

Sister Lucy

“I have to say those nuns were brilliant teachers. They had that mix of authority and love. They had to control a schoolroom and communicate. To this day, I remember them more clearly than any other teacher I ever had, even though I was only five.

“I can remember the classroom, the board, the desk. It’s just a very very vivid memory. I’d have to vote for those nuns, and Sister Lucy. She was a tough cookie. If you stepped out of line, you knew about it.”