Stephen Webb: Students and staff shave their heads in solidarity with the 'best teacher'

Head prefect, Blake Aston, and maths teacher, Ian Gallagher
-Credit: (Image: Hastings High School)


Students and a staff member at a Leicestershire school have had their heads shaved in support of an “inspirational” teacher after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Hastings High School pupil, Blake Aston, 16, set up a gofundme for Stephen Webb, who recently underwent brain surgery.

Blake, a head prefect at the school, in Burbage near Hinckley, was one of multiple students to have his head shaved. Blake said: “I had him [Stephen] from year eight all the way to this year. He is just the best teacher I have ever had.”

The original target for Blake’s gofundme, set up on Wednesday, September 18, was for £1000. This was “smashed” within a day. Speaking to LeicestershireLive about why Stephen was held in such high regard among students, Blake said: “He is just really inspirational.

READ MORE: Stephen Webb: Teacher with brain tumour in 'high spirits' after surgery goes 'really well' says family

Stephen pictured with his family
Stephen said his local community in Burbage have been 'incredible' -Credit:Supplied

“He makes us all want to come to English, he makes it enjoyable. He takes the time to get to know us as people, not just students.

"When I heard the news I wanted to do something to contribute and help him.” Stephen is currently recovering at home after brain surgery at University Hospital Coventry on Thursday, September 19, and is in “high spirits” his family said.

After speaking to his head of year, it was suggested that Blake should try and get a teacher involved in also shaving their head. So, maths teacher, Ian Gallagher, agreed. Only if the gofundme hit £1,500, however.

Mr Gallagher said: “I heard that he [Blake] had already smashed his £1000. I thought maybe we could push it a bit further if I shaved my head as well.

Mr Gallagher during the shave
Mr Gallagher during the shave -Credit:Hastings High School

“They [pupils] like to see the teachers humiliated by having their heads shaved or wet sponges thrown at us.” Mr Gallagher said he had worked with Stephen Webb for 10 years and that he was “not just a colleague, he is a friend”.

At the time of writing, Blake’s fundraiser has hit £2,010 after he and Mr Gallagher had their heads shaved on Thursday (September 26). Sacha Johnson, Stephen Webb's sister-in-law, said a number of other fund-raising events had taken place in his honour.

They included local jewellers Thorpe and Brown making initial necklaces, with all the profits going to the cause, a bingo night at the Anchor Inn, in Burbage, for which tickets “sold so quickly” a second event had to be organised, and a bake sale in Burbage with donations of sweet treats from bakeries and residents.

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