Tributes paid to former Horsham teacher

Jill, who taught at Forest Boys’ School for almost 30 years, was born in Greenwich but was evacuated with her grandparents to an aunt and uncle in Brighton on the day that war broke out.

But when it was believed an invasion was imminent, Jill was evacuated again to another aunt and uncle in Grimsby.

Like many children, Jill’s education was disrupted by the war, but she passed her 11-Plus and went on to Cleethorpes Girls High School where she enjoyed maths and PE, playing hockey and tennis for the school, captaining the first X1.

After gaining her School Certificate and O-levels, Jill obtained a place at the City of Sheffield Teacher Training College. Graduating in 1956, she obtained a teaching post in a brand new secondary school in Grimsby before moving on to teaching in Cleethorpes and then to Horsham.

Jill, by then married to husband Cliff, decided with Cliff to look for work in Sussex. Her first post was in Portslade in 1960.

The family moved to Horsham and Jill began teaching again at Forest Girls’ School where she taught until becoming pregnant with her son Simon.

After Simon’s birth she obtained a ‘supply’ teaching job at Oxford Road Girls’ School.

It was at Christmas 1961 when Mr Cliff Hawkins, headmaster of Forest Boys, asked Jill to join the school - a spell that was to last for almost 30 years.

She taught a variety of subjects at Forest including, drama, English, maths and - for one term - physics.

She taught across the whole spectrum, from the less able to, in her final years, the ‘top sets’ in maths, obtaining excellent results.

Jill took an active part in many school activities, the Youth Wing, drama and music, as well as organising school trips at home and abroad.

Cliff said: “Jill was born to be a teacher - enthusiastic, encouraging and firm. ‘Don’t get on the wrong side of Old Ma White’ she had heard boys say, which she rather liked.”

When Jill started her career, women teachers were paid only two thirds of a man’s salary, something which she also fought to change.

Between them Jill and Cliff clocked up almost 60 years of service at Forest School. Beginning at Oxford Road, then Comptons Lane in 1960 through to 1990 and seeing it develop from when it was a secondary modern and beyond.

After retirement Jill enjoyed holidays and time spent with her family at her villa in Spain. where she entertained family and friends.

Having by this time moved to Worthing, Jill enjoyed spending time gardening, holidays at home and abroad, and music and dancing.

Until recent times, she was one half of a duo singing in clubs and pubs with her husband Cliff.

In her last year she was a popular resident of Croft Meadow Care Home in Steyning and kept staff and residents entertained and loved to talk about ‘her boys’. Said Cliff: “She passed away thankfully not from the coronavirus pandemic but through her underlying health problems.”

As well as her husband Cliff, Jill leaves daughter Jane, son Simon and grandson Tom.