Albus Dumbledore has been named as teachers' top fictional teacher in a poll conducted by TES.

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, to give him his proper name, is a much-loved and prominent character from the Harry Potter books.

It is certainly a shrewd choice, as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry headmaster is considered not only to be a great person, albeit a fictional one, buthis style of teaching is valued by those in the profession.

“In many ways, J.K. Rowling uses her books to highlight what does and doesn’t work in the classroom," Philip Nel, professor of English at Kansas State University, told the online news provider.

"Each time you’re looking at a teacher in the Harry Potter books, you’re also looking at Rowling’s sense of what teaching is, and what good and bad teaching looks like."

In second place was Miss Jennifer Honey from Roald Dahl's heart-warming classic Matilda, who not only realises the amazing gifts possessed by the eponymous character, but does everything possible to nurture her talents.

She was followed by another Harry Potter icon, Minerva McGonagall, a stern, steadfast and hawkish teacher who may come across as being overly strict but really has everyone's best interests at heart.

In fourth place is John Keating, from the cult classic movie Dead Poets Society. His teaching style is unconventional and creative and he promotes a certain sense of rebelliousness in his students.

Completing the top five is professor Charles Xavier, a charming, patient and supremely intelligent superhero who sees the best in everyone. It certainly isn't an easy job fostering confidence in students whose powers are anything but normal.

Completing the top ten are Jean Brodie from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Severus Snape from Harry Potter, Mr Chips from Goodbye Mr Chips, Mr Gilbert from The Inbetweeners and Walter White from Breaking Bad.

"Schooling is mostly learning about how to follow rules, and a lot of these teachers that we love break those rules," Beth Marshall, associate professor of education at Simon Fraser University, explained to TES.

"Mr Keating in Dead Poets Society, Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act II. These teachers who break the rules, who ask us to do something extraordinary within a school setting, they stick with us."