Hundreds gathered to celebrate the exceptional career of Bibi Laher who is stepping down as Spring Grove headteacher this summer.

The community picnic paid tribute to a woman whose remarkable journey has taken her from a segregated asbestos-sheeted classroom in the townships of South Africa all the way to Buckingham Palace, where she was awarded an OBE.

And it was a tribute to her passion for inclusivity that so many children, parents, grandparents, teachers and governors from all backgrounds turned up at the event in the school grounds to wish her well.

Mother-of-three Bibi said: “It was the best picnic ever. We had bouncy castles and entertainers, families brought the food and the atmosphere was amazing. “There were a few tears, but it was a big celebration.

Spring Grove School on Water St, Springwood, Huddersfield.

“Things are changing in education, a new era is arriving and I feel it is the right time for a new person to come in and take over.”

Daughter of a South African shopkeeper, Bibi, 62, came to the UK in 1975 and took a degree in Chemistry and Physiology at Sunderland before working for cancer research.

After a childhood spent sitting in rows of desks, learning by rote and being constantly tested, she saw children expressing themselves and having fun learning. She said: “ I fell in love with the British system of education, it was very exciting and so different from my own experience.”

Her years living under apartheid left her with an unshakeable belief that everybody, regardless of race, colour or religion, is equal and deserves the same opportunities - a creed she put into practice throughout her teaching career, which began at Headlands, Liversedge.

Mrs Bibi Laher, retiring from Headteacher role at Spring Grove School with some of the children from each of the school years.
Mrs Bibi Laher, retiring from Headteacher role at Spring Grove School with some of the children from each of the school years.

After seven years as deputy head, she became head of Spring Grove Junior Infant and Nursery School in 2004, where she raised children’s expectations and achievements, resulting in Outstanding ratings for the school by Ofsted.

The National Leader of Education’s proudest moment came in 2011 when she was awarded the OBE by the Queen for services to education. Described as “inspirational” at last year’s national Pearson Teaching Awards, she also won the Silver Award for primary school headteachers.

Bibi, who was a board member and lecturer for the Diverse Leaders Network, says that she experienced discrimination when trying for a Kirklees headship 12 years ago: “At that time leadership was a barrier, there was definitely a lot of racism, but things have improved since then. “

Looking to the future, she added: “I don’t agree with some of the changes, like academies, which take schools out of local authority control. Schools serve the community and it is almost like privatising them.”

After retirement, she plans to travel to Italy, Turkey and South Africa this autumn before considering her options. She wishes her successor, Shazia Azhar, currently headteacher at Purlwell Infant and nursery School, Batley, every success.