In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to Olympic sailor Ben Anslie about his school memories including:

• The lessons in resilience he took from his PE teacher
• The tricks he used to fool his physics teacher into thinking he was working
• The importance of school trips
• How school lunches became a money-making venture

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to children's author Cressida Cowell about her school memories including:

• The vital role her primary teacher played in her development as a writer
• The perils of not being a very organised pupil
• The importance of primary school libraries
• Her love of art - and why it's such an important subject
• How to develop confidence in public speaking

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to comedian and actress Doon Mackichan about her school days, including:

• A wonderful English teacher who set her on the path to stardom
• Doing impressions to win over other girls at school
• A very surreal visit back to her former school
• Using teachers to inspire comedy characters
• The importance of learning from tough times

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to comedian and author Shappi Khorsandi

• Her amazing primary school - and the teachers that made it so special
• Being the narrator in schools plays - and not always enjoying it
• Why writing a play boosted her social stock at secondary school
• The difficulty of picking your own children's names
• Why getting an A for her English A level remains one of her proudest moments

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to TV presenter, author and former teacher Mehreen Baig to discuss:

• The huge influence a single story a teacher told her had on her life
• A sneaky way to avoid detentions
• Loving school - until her wayward teenage years
• Why TV presenting is a doddle compared to teaching (sort of)
• Why she's taken the views of teachers to the masses with a Radio 4 show
• She reveals her own teaching secret

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to comedian, writer and author Charlie Higson, best known for playing a host of hilarious characters in The Fast Show. We chat about

• His brilliant art teacher Bob White and how influenced his thinking
• He recalls his slightly strange primary school
• A new story he's written called Worst.Holiday.Ever that draws on French exchange memories - including philosophical discussions about the wind
• Putting on plays inspired by Monthy Python
• And if any teachers informed characters on The Fast Show.

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to author, broadcaster and journalist Clare Balding about her school days, including:

• How her English teacher helped her recover from an early school setback
• Why dogs need to get better at video-conferencing
• Using sport to help define herself at school
• A memorable trip to Russia
• A new book she's written for children called Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to writer, author, poet and teacher Kate Clanchy about her school days, including:

• Why her biology teacher was so important to her time at school
• A very memorable - and quite long - French exchange programme
• The value of creative writing for young people
• Arguing with her teachers
• Not always being the most committed cross-country runner

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to Ricky Wilson - the lead singer of Kaiser Chiefs and a former judge on The Voice about:

• How his art teacher helped guide his artistic talents
• Winning a conducting competition - despite not reading music
• His new show on CBBC - Ricky Wilson's Art Jam
• The joy of making your own birthday cards
• And one of the most bizarre punishments you'll ever hear

In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast from Tes we chat to music legend Cerys Matthews. She tells us about:

• The teachers who inspired her - in more ways than one
• Her love of poetry and the spoken word
• How learning the recorder opened up a world of music
• Why cigarettes and acrylic jumpers don't mix