PUPILS and colleagues will bid farewell to the headteacher and founder of their school this month.

Margaret Nowell is retiring from St Thomas’ Pupil Referral Unit, Blackburn on July 22.

The daughter of former Accrington Stanley manager Jimmy Harrower was awarded an OBE in February for services to education.

Mrs Nowell, who lives in Whalley, said that growing up she felt she ‘had sport in her genes’ but always wanted to be a teacher.

She studied a PE degree before taking her first job as a teacher in 1970.

After starting a family with husband Trevor 10 years later, she studied psychology with the Open University, while her teaching career was on hold to raise three children.

She said: “I always felt I had an affinity with troubled children and studying psychology just gave me more of a desire to work with them.

“In those days, if children were ill, they would study at home, so instead of going back to teaching full-time, I began home tuition.”

Mrs Nowell, 64, rented community centres with other home tutors, realising that the children she was teaching benefited from being around other children.

In 1998, demand for these groups was so high that the council recognised the need and opened St Thomas’ centre in Lambeth Street in 2000.

She said: “For 99.9 per cent of children, main-stream school is the place to be but it isn’t for everyone.

“We give a fantastic education to those who may have thought their situation made them unable to complete an education or gain qual-ifications, whether they’ve got pregnant, been exp-elled, or have a long-term illness.

“In 2010 we were rated an outstanding school which, for a referral unit, is very special. The quality of the staff and the behaviour of pupils was rated out-standing. It was definitely the pinnacle of my career.”

Another career highlight came in the form of the an OBE earlier this year.

She said: “The day I received my OBE was the same day the Olympians were receiving their honours, which just made it all the more special for me, being such a sports fan.

“I got to meet the Queen. I couldn’t believe it.

“Then, I also got chatting to Jessica Ennis, which was wonderful. She was lovely.

“I’m going to miss the banter with the children so much.

“When I told the children I’d been given an OBE, one said ‘Miss, is that like an ASBO?’ “It’s so much fun but I am looking forward to relaxing and spending time with my two grandchildren, Benjamin and Sebastian.”