Dr Who tops celebrity teacher poll

Dr Who star David Tennant has come out on top in a poll asking children to name their ideal celebrity teacher.

The poll, conducted by CBBC Newsround and The Children's Society, asked children across the nation 'Which famous person would make a good teacher?'

More than a quarter of the children surveyed agreed he would make a great teacher science, history and geography teacher because of his wealth of experience in time and space travel.

Alice, 13, from Hampshire commented: "I think it would be amazing if David Tennant taught history. He's the Doctor; he's been around since the beginning of time! Who knows more about history than him?"

Famous Brits who also made it into the list of ideal teachers included Harry Potter creator JK Rowling in second place. Children believed she would make a great English teacher because of her story-writing skills and creativity. The ideal PE teacher, meanwhile, was David Beckham.

Buckingham Palace officials were celebrating, meanwhile, after the Queen was voted into the top ten celebrity teachers.

Sam from Solihull chose Her Majesty because: "She could tell us what is good about being British, and tell us amazing stories."

Buckingham Palace officials said: "We are really pleased to hear this news and thank all the children who took part and voted for the Queen."

CBBC Newsround asked children to answer questions on school and the different ways they learn. Their responses will be compiled as evidence for the UK's first independent inquiry into the current state of childhood, The Children's Society's Good Childhood Inquiry.

Teenage 'chav' Vicky Pollard also garnered some the children's votes, with pupils choosing her for her sense of humour, while Princess Diana and Kylie Minogue made it onto the list for being kind and caring.

TV favourites Billie Piper and Tracey Beaker won votes from children because they felt they would understand what it is like to be young, while Richard Branson was another favourite among children who thought he could teach them how to make a lot of money.

When asked what they liked about their school, however, many children named their favourite teacher as the thing they liked most.

Nine-year-old Jessica her teacher was "great fun", while Sumayyah, 10, said: "I like my school because the children there are very welcoming and so are the teachers. If you get lost or something there is always someone there to help you."

Nisha, 12, meanwhile, said: "I don't think celebs would make great teachers. I like my teachers just the way they are."

The Good Childhood Inquiry is asking what makes for a good childhood in the UK today. Its final report and recommendations will be published in early 2009. Adults wishing to contribute their childhood memory to the inquiry can do so by visiting www.hundredsandthousands.org.uk.

The top ten celebrities chosen by children across the UK to make a good teacher were:
1. David Tennant
2. JK Rowling
3. Billie Piper
4. David Beckham
5. Hilary Duff
6. Kylie Minogue
7. Tracey Beaker
8. Richard Branson
9. The Queen
10. High School Musical Cast