Some outstanding teachers are honoured with knighthoods or have assembly halls named after them. Most just live on in their pupils’ memories. But surely only one can see a racehorse flash past, bearing her name and the colours of her school.
Jennifer Higham worked at Hereford Cathedral junior school for more than 40 years, starting as an assistant then returning after teacher training. One devoted pupil when she was a student teacher in the 60s was Peter Scudamore, one of the greatest jockeys of all time.
So when the school’s racehorse-owning syndicate (well, this is Herefordshire) was seeking a name for a new horse stabled at the Scudamore yard, “Mrs Higham” was the obvious choice. She did well on her first outing, coming fifth in a 15-horse race at Uttoxeter, on New Year’s Eve.
And the cry, “Mrs Higham is coming up on the outside,” gave pleasure all round.
