Last bell tolls for ‘miracle’ teacher

WE’LL miss you, Miss . . . Sue Higham with some of her pupils

A “MIRACLE” teacher who gave children with severe speech and learning difficulties renewed confidence and skills is retiring after 30 years in Oldham.

Sue Higham, of St Paul’s Primary School, Royton, began her teaching career in Yorkshire, before moving to St Martin’s School, Fitton Hill, in 1978.

But it was her passion for language and speech which saw her join Oldham Council’s basic skills support service (now the quality and effectiveness services team) which helps children with special needs.

She moved to St Paul’s in 1989 where she managed two classes for children with severe speech and language difficulties from across the borough.

Sue, of High Crompton, said: “I will really miss the children.

“Father David Booth, from our church, used to say my classroom was like the miracle room because children would come in barely wanting to talk and within months they had transformed.

“It was a difficult job and you needed lots of patience, but the rewards were great.

“When you saw children cope in different situations and saw them speak to other people when they had never have been able to before — that was great.”

Sue, who is also the ICT (information, communication, technology) co-ordinator for the school and the special educational needs co-ordinator, is looking forward to travelling during her retirement.

The 60-year-old will indulge her wanderlust with a planned trip to Puerto Rico with her husband, John, next year.