A newly opened kindergarten has been named after a teacher who had a “profound impact” on pupils’ lives

Gad’s Hill School in Higham held an official unveiling of its kindergarten to coincide with the school’s annual cross country run.

The multi-million pound wing is named in memory of the former Head of Gad’s Kindergarten and Junior School, Jennie Marsh, who passed away in 2009.

The Jennie Marsh Wing was opened by the Headmaster David Craggs.

He was joined by pupils and staff past and present and Jennie’s husband and daughters.

Mrs Marsh died in May 2009, aged 58, after a short battle with cancer.

She left behind her daughters Sallie and Alison and her husband of 37 years, Malcolm, who also taught at the school.

While at Gad’s, Mrs Marsh joined the Headmaster in campaigning for pupils to vacate the historic and increasingly fragile 18th century house of Gad’s Hill Place, which the school has used for teaching since the 1920s.

Mr Craggs said: “In September 2000 Jennie joined Gad’s as a temporary class teacher. It was soon apparent that she was not only a first rate teacher, but someone who possessed a huge amount of experience and had the qualities required to help drive Gad’s forward over the next few years.

"Within six months Jennie had become Head of Juniors and Kindergarten and helped to form the school it is today.

“She was loved by all students and staff, and there are many who feel that she had a profound impact on their lives.”

It was no coincidence that the unveiling ceremony was held on the same day as the school’s annual cross country run as the entire Marsh family – Mrs Marsh included – are keen runners.

It was Mr Marsh, who, alongside the headmaster, came up with the concept of the run some 10 years previously.

As a special request, Mr Marsh – who travelled all the way from his home in South Africa for the ceremony - Sallie and Alison were asked to run round the school field with the Kindergarten children, as Mrs Marsh would have done while teaching at Gad’s.

Mr Marsh later presented awards to the winners of the Kindergarten, Junior and Senior School race winners.