A TEDDY bears' picnic was held for a head teacher who is retiring after 25 years in charge of a Crawley primary school.
Malcolm Willis has inspired generations of children at Pound Hill Junior School and taught in West Sussex for 40 years.
Mr Willis and his wife Vee, who is also retiring from her role as a teacher in Horsham, are planning a dream trip to Antarctica, having saved up for it for ten years.
On Monday the school, off Crawley Lane, put on a number of surprises for the departing head teacher.
Mr Willis said: "I was firstly called outside to the wooded area we have created in my 25 years at the school.
"We have planted more than 600 trees. You used to be able to see the road from the grounds but it is now an enclosed area home to wildlife where you can find badgers.
"I got out there to find my name engraved on a plaque and to be told the woodland is now officially known as Willis Wood."
Mr Willis said the naming of the wood was "such a privilege".
He added: "I thought the surprise was finished there but I got called outside again later in the day to find all the children and their parents outside hosting a teddy bears' picnic for me.
"Former pupils who are now at Oriel and Hazelwick were released from school and it was lovely to see them all.
"Much to my surprise past pupils going back to 1990 who are now in their 30s had also come to see me.
"I must have taught over 2,000 children but I recognised them all. It was wonderful."
