Shropshire music man Richard Fox is a big hit with the misses after coming top of the form in a hunt for the nation’s favourite teacher.

Mr Fox, who until this term taught music at Ercall Wood Technology College in Telford, was nominated for the award by 14-year-old pupil Laura Henighan.

Laura, of Barnfield Crescent, Wellington, thought he was such a top teacher that she penned a poem in his honour which wowed the judges at Mizz magazine.

Laura began her poem with: “My teacher Mr Fox, wears bad jumpers and smelly socks. He makes us laugh for the lesson taught, it’s brill, but the lesson’s too short.”

She finished with: “An inspirational bloke he be, and so kind to others, my mates, and me. He pushes us to our very best. Puts us on a musical quest.

“He’s by far the best teacher, so no-one can say to him ‘I beat ya!. We’ll miss you Mr Fox.”

The farewell was penned as Mr Fox, of Kinnersley, near Telford, left Ercall Wood at the end of last term to start part-time in the autumn at Newport Girls High School so that he can spend more time on his own compositions. Laura said Mr Fox had been teaching her keyboard and piano for the last three years.

She added: “He’s very inspiring and makes you want to play, instead of just sitting by and watching.

“I have a keyboard at home but music is more of a hobby for me. Mr Fox has helped me a great deal.”

Mr Fox is currently away on holiday but when he returns he will have a surprise in store.

He will officially be named Top Teacher 2009 by the magazine.