A popular Burnham headteacher was given the ride of her life when she went on a surprise helicopter ride to celebrate her 60th birthday.
Headteacher at Lent Rise Combined School, Brenda Bigland, was treated to a day of memorable surprises from staff and pupils at the school when she turned 60. Pupils were already waiting outside her office to sing Happy Birthday when she arrived in the morning and she was then presented with birthday cards from every class in the school at a special birthday assembly.
The long serving head then enjoyed a lunchtime picnic at a specially erected marquee and the whole school was entertained by Burnham-based Pop Goes The Choir.
Appointed in 1993 as headteacher, Mrs Bigland was then taken to the school playground where a hovering helicopter was taking aerial pictures of the party, before she was whisked away for a helicopter tour of Burnham.
Mrs Bigland, who is retiring this year said: “It was a total surprise and a fantastic day that we couldn’t repeat if we tried. It was the biggest birthday party in the world.”
After 18 years at the school, the popular headteacher will retire in 2011. Jill Watson, current deputy headteacher will take over the role.