Margery Leslie gave Tory councillors a hard time in the 1970s; her successor Ann Risman said her ivory necklace was made of education officers’ teeth; and now, current principal Christina Conroy has a similar name among managers at nearby Richmond upon Thames college.

And when education minister Margaret Hodge visited on Tuesday to launch the new Richmond Business School, she said she would gladly share their crown of thorns. Cheers were heard, including those of the Tory council leader Tony Arbour, a lecturer in management at Kingston University.

“The minister has certainly established a reputation for candour,” he said.