See me after class

In Educating Rita, boozy failed poet and English lecturer Michael Caine manages to keep his mitts off bubbly hairdresser Julie Walters as they embark on their heartwarming journey of self-development Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury paints a vivid picture of the permissive society of the early 1970s. Howard Kirk and his wife Barbara, working class and religious, cast aside their inhibitions, and find astrology, pot and sex in abundance. Lecturer Howard selects his partners from staff and students alike Photograph: BBC

Ross in Friends (David Schwimmer) who lectures in paleontology struggles to keep up with the youthful antics of his student girlfriend Elizabeth Photograph: Cate Gillon/Getty

Sting, in Don't Stand So Close to Me, sings about a schoolgirl who has a crush on her teacher and how nervous that makes him feel. He himself was a teacher. 'Loose talk in the classroom / To hurt they try and try / Strong words in the staff room / The accusations fly... ' Photograph: Max Morse/Reuters

Disgrace, JM Coetzee: Middle-aged academic David Lurie has a gloomy affair with student Melanie who later accuses him of sexual harassment Photograph: Eric Miller/AFP

Joe Dempsie as Chris Miles in the first series of Skins spots his psychology teacher Angie naked in the showers, with tempestuous consequences Photograph: Channel 4/PR

Notes on a Scandal, Zoe Heller: Cate Blanchett plays the teacher who has an affair with a pupil Photograph: PR

Prime of Miss Jean Brodie: Married art teacher Teddy Lloyd has affairs first with Miss Brodie and then with her student Sandy Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

In The History Boys by Alan Bennet, inspirational master Douglas Hector (Richard Griffiths) subjects his students to lifts on his scooter and the inevitable quick grope Photograph: PR