Obituary for Hasan Khan

Hasan Khan RIP

13th June 1934 to Jan 7th 2024

Stalwart Deputy Head and disciplinarian Hasan Khan passed away in January this year. Judgemeadow Community College opened in the early 1970s and Hasan Khan was among the original pioneers of the school, having previously been at Rushey Mead.

Dual heritage, education and settling in the UK.

Mohamed Hasanuddin Khan was born at home in Didsbury in 1934. He was the son of Mohamed Fariduddin, an Indian Muslim and Rachel (nee Posner), a British Jew from Salford. The family emigrated to Hyderabad, India in October 1935. Hasan was educated at St George’s School, Hyderabad, and Loyola College, Madras. He returned to the UK and between 1956-1959 he studied at Leicester University. Around this time, he met his future wife (a “Wyggy Girl”) at a dance. He married Jackie in October 1960. A bi-racial marriage was uncommon in the 60s and some people found it hard to understand and accept.

Memories from the chalkboard

Retired teacher, Dave Alexander, met Hasan in 1977 when he was being interviewed for his first teaching post. The panel could n’t decide between a candidate with a first-class honours degree from Cambridge, or Dave with his teaching certificate from the Teacher Training College in Scraptoft. Mr Khan was asked to show the candidates around the school. Being a keen sportsman who excelled in hockey and cricket, he was impressed with Dave’s zeal for school sports and so he endorsed Dave’s candidature.  

Hasan’s main contribution to Judgemeadow was overseeing discipline which then developed into the role of Pastoral Care Lead. He was passionate about education and was held in high esteem by staff and students. He must have taught thousands across Leicestershire. Many remembered Mr Khan for good reasons and for ‘other’ reasons. He had a fierce reputation and discipline was central but he commanded respect.

He taught economics and history and would sometimes bamboozle students by teaching the imperial money system. It certainly gave them an appreciation of the decimal system. When the Khan family met ex-Judgemeadow students Mr Khan was always one of the staff they would ask about.

Serving the Community

Towards the end of his teaching career and his retirement in the mid-90s, he became a magistrate serving the Leicester community. He supported numerous charitable causes and remained passionate about cricket, hockey, and politics.

A family man of good repute

He was immensely proud of his three children: Yasmin, Mariam, and Adam, for what they achieved and how they cared for him after Jackie died.  A champion of the underdog with a strong moral compass, he was a man of principle and integrity. He made a real impact on many people’s lives and he is sadly missed and remembered fondly by family, friends, and former students.  

Dave Alexander and the Khan family.

Edited by Harkesh Farma.