She shared her love of academia, her love of lacrosse and her love of the countryside and animals with her students who held her in the highest regard.

Miss Farr took over the leadership of Downe at a challenging time in its history. Our founding Headmistress, Olive Willis, was a pioneer of women’s education. She loathed the strictly regimented school life so common at the time and founded a school that fostered an independent spirit in her girls. But by 1978, when Miss Farr became Headmistress, the appeal of the school was declining with only fourteen names on the entry list.

At supper on Miss Farr’s first day, she was shocked when she found herself alone at high table and surrounded by the chaos of screaming girls and food flying across the room. After booming over the bedlam, she obtained a surprised silence, followed by a much more civilised meal.

She later discovered a remarkable group of wise and mature Seniors and, when the teachers returned the next day, she found excellent teaching and desire for change. Through her considerable skill, determination and commitment she rebuilt the reputation of the school and ensured it provided the quality of education that the girls and young women of the time deserved.

Among her many innovations she introduced our much-loved House system, with live-in House staff, as well as gowns for Seniors, and oversaw the demise of the djibbah, replacing them with a much more modern uniform.

She shared her love of academia, her love of lacrosse and her love of the countryside and animals with her students who held her in the highest regard. She recruited staff who could help to deliver the vision of an excellent education for girls which was so important to her.

We will always be grateful for the legacy that she left.