Tributes to former Haverhill head teacher after fatal horse riding accident

A school has paid tribute to an ‘outstanding’ former head teacher who died suddenly after a horse riding accident.

Former head teacher of Clements Primary School, Lesley Farrow, 47, died when she fell from a horse near her home on Saturday, July 11.

A spokesman for Clements Primary School, where Mrs Farrow worked until September 2014, expressed their shock and sadness.

They said: “We are very sad that our former head teacher died suddenly over the weekend. We are supporting our children and staff and ask people to respect Mrs Farrow’s family’s privacy.

“She was an outstanding head teacher and led Clements School with conviction and respect for all.”

Mrs Farrow lived in Bradfield Combust near Bury St Edmunds. An ambulance was called to the A1141, near her home, at 5.29pm on Saturday. She was taken to West Suffolk Hospital where she died.

Mrs Farrow left Clements Primary School last September to begin work as head teacher at Woodhall Community Primary School in Sudbury.

One mother said: “This news has rocked us all, to be honest. She was such a lovely teacher.”

Another mother, Tina Underwood added: “This is so awful, my son came home devastated today; she will be sadly missed.”

Mrs Farrow, a mother-of-two, inspired many children through her work.

Tributes from colleagues and former pupils have been left on social networking site, Facebook, with one group, called Light a candle for Lesley Farrow, filling up with the stories and memories of the popular head teacher.

Facebook tributes came from Simon Traylen who said: “This is such a shame. She did so much for the school in such a short space of time, and had even better plans for the future.”

Erica Medcalf added: “She was lovely, I met her a few times as my niece attends this school. The children loved her.”