A former primary school head has been laid to rest in a coffin covered in drawings by her pupils.
Sue East, headteacher of St Andrew’s Church School, Bath, died in December aged 58 after a battle with cancer.
Nearly 700 pupils, parents and staff reportedly attended her funeral in Bath Abbey this week to say their goodbyes.
Pictures showed her coffin covered in drawings of fairies, rainbows, butterflies, hearts and stars as it was carried out of the church.
Pupils described her as “fun”, “lovely”, “exotic”, “glittery”, “the best teacher”, “kind” and “caring”. They said that she “taught us to believe in ourselves” and “sprinkled fairy dust everywhere”.
Before she died, Ms East wrote her students a poignant letter thanking them for “sharing their joy and friendship”.
It also included a passage from CS Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, in which Reepicheep the mouse leaves his friends to go into Aslan’s country alone.
“Never forget there is fairy dust to be found in every situation, no matter how difficult,” she said.
‘A pioneering force in primary education’
Mrs East’s three children, John, Susannah and Josiah, as well as friends and staff members, gave touching tributes at the funeral.
“She taught me that learning is more important than exams and numbers on spreadsheets. To question what you believe and adapt,” said her youngest son, Josiah.
“She taught me how to live life and accept death.”
Joint deputy head Jayne Rochford-Smith said Mrs East had been a “pioneering and creative force in primary education”.
“She shared her expertise at a national level. She co-founded Schools Without Walls,” she said.
“She called the WhatsApp group we were all in the ‘Chief Fairies WhatsApp Group’. We still feel she is still present here today. She empowered us all.”
Her other deputy, Tam Stephen, said there was “wholehearted agreement that she was bonkers - as all brilliant people are”.
“We all agree that Sue made a difference. She campaigned for creativity, inclusion, diversity and equality.
“One cannot help but fall in love with her and the school she so proudly led. Sue exuded huge love for everyone in her care.”
